MUZAFFARGARH, March 31: Two incidents of police torture of government officials have created unrest among the officials here.

Forest guard Alamgir stationed in Chowk Qureshi forests said that he along with local residents caught police official Munawar Hussain red-handed stealing woods from the jungle on Friday night. He informed the Chowk Qureshi police about the theft. In the morning, ASI Muhammad Sultan and three other constables arrived there and instead of arresting the thief started beating Alamgir and three others. Later, he took Munawar with him to the police station and released him after some time. At this, Alamgir along with other Forest officials met DPO Rai Ali Tahir and informed him of policemen’s torture. The DPO assured them of legal action against the ASI. District Forest Officer Atifullah Niazi said he would raise the issue with senior police officials.

In another incident, officials of the District Planning Department protested against police for torturing their colleague Nadeem Akhtar and his sister.

Mr Akhtar said that he along with his sister was sitting at a public call office (PCO) near the Fiaz Park. There came Inspector Iqbal Husain Baloch with other policemen and started abusing the owner of the PCO. Mr Akhtar asked the ASI to mind his language as his sister was present there. This turned the ASI enraged and he madly beat up Mr Akhtar in the presence of dozens of the people. He alleged the policemen thrashed his sister when she tried to rescue him. The officials of the planning department protested on Saturday and said if police did not take action against the accused ASI, they would start agitation.

POLICE PERFORMANCE: Muzaffargarh DPO Rai Ali Tahir says police had arrested 1,130 proclaimed offenders, 576 judicial absconders in the last three months. He said 902 accused were held under the Arms and Ammunition Act and police seized 15 kalashnikovs, 44 rifles, 76 guns, 257 revolvers, 330 pistols, 117 carbine, three mauzers, three daggers and 1,900 cartridges from them. Police also busted 26 gangs and 180 gangsters were arrested.