ISLAMABAD: Two constables of the Punjab police deployed in the city have been booked for badly beating up a colleague and stripping him naked. They were not arrested for fear of inflaming hatred in the ranks, police sources said on Monday.

Victim Ghulam Murtaza and his tormentors belonged to a contingent called from Dera Ghazi Khan for controlling the anti-government protesters camping in the Red Zone.

The incident occurred as they arrived, with other policemen, in a bus after finishing their duty at the Police Lines Headquarters where they are lodged. It appeared frayed nerves led to the fracas.

“They (his two mates) made fun of my caste on the way and used abusive language against my mother and sister. I felt humiliated,” Murtaza said in his complaint filed with the Sabzi Mandi Police Station.

His pleas to stop the nonsense went unheeded and their verbal attacks turned physical while disembarking from the bus at the Police Lines.

They took offence when he lifted their riot-gears to pull out his own and started beating him. The officer-in-charge of their squad and other personnel tried to calm them down “but they tore my uniform stripping me naked and beat me to unconsciousness,” he said in his complaint.

A team mate fetched a piece of cloth and covered his naked body.

On regaining consciousness and medical aid, Murtaza filed charges of PPCs 337A-2 (hurt) 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person) against the accused Iftikhar Ahmed and Ahmed Ali.

They are yet to be arrested, though.

Police officials approached by Dawn in this connection said that an inquiry has been ordered and action would be taken in accordance with its recommendation.

Police forces called from other places, especially the Punjab Police, may be feeling frustrated at their lengthening stay in Islamabad and venting their frustration in such a manner, they say.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2014