LAHORE/KASUR: The affected families of Kasur incident on Sunday ended their boycott of the investigation process as the chief minister promised them provision of justice at a meeting here.

Speaking to the sex abuse victims, their parents and other residents of Hussain Khanwala village, Shahbaz also announced immediate withdrawal of the cases registered against the protesters and directed the IGP to take necessary legal action in this regard.

He said the Kasur incident was lamentable and painful and justice would be provided to the victims. “Providing you justice is my responsibility and I’ll discharge this duty at any cost.” He said he was deeply grieved over the incident and wanted to come to them but could not do so due to some reasons but he had been personally monitoring the issue.

The chief minister said the Joint Investigation Team comprised representatives of the Federal Intelligence Bureau and ISI besides police and it would stay in Kasur till completion of the investigation. He said the facts would be made public and the elements showing negligence or hiding the facts would be taken to task.

He admitted that if the case had not been mishandled or negligence not been shown, the situation would not have reached this point. He said arrangements for the education of the affected children would be made and if necessary, they would be provided education facility in Lahore.

Latif Sara, the counsel for the victims, and the victims themselves announced ending the boycott of the inquiry team and promised to participate in the investigation. Accordingly, they would join the JIT on Monday (today) after a boycott of one week.

The victims had boycotted the JIT to press for their demand of the cancellation of cases against them including one under Anti-Terrorism Act and a murder case. They argued that police were harassing them and it was not possible for them to join the JIT under such circumstances.

Advocate Latif Sara said the chief minister had accepted all their demands including cancellation of FIRs against the villagers and victims.

Meanwhile, the Ganda Singh police registered two more cases against the accused for threatening the complainants to withdraw the cases.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2015

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