DADU: The Hyderabad DIG on Saturday ordered suspension of an SHO and 10 members of his team for taking ruthless action against Mallah tribesmen who had blocked a section of the Indus highway for over 24 hours suspending intercity routes leading to Dadu on Tuesday (June 2).

The tribesmen, led by Salma Mallah and her family members, were protesting against alleged inaction on the part of the A-Section police of Dadu over their complaint lodged with them some six months ago. Ms Mallah had complained that her former in-laws had snatched her 18-month-old son, and were not restoring him to her despite court directives issued in her favour.

Senior police officers tried to persuade the tribesmen to clear the highway but when the blockade continued into the second day, a big police forced led by the City DSP used force to disperse them. In the ensuring clash, over 60 people including the DSP and two scores of policemen, as well as many women and children, were wounded.

The tribesmen continued their protest and proceeded to Hyderabad on Friday to apprise the IGP of their grievances.

On Saturday, Dadu SSP on the orders of the Hyderabad DIG placed under suspension A-Section SHO Akbar Panhwar and 10 policemen who took part in the action against the protesters at the SSP Chowk.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2014