FAISALABAD: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claims ‘thana culture’ will be eliminated this year and a survey to launch Safe City project in Faisalabad has been initiated.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of newly-constructed building of Samanabad police station on Monday, he said patwar culture had been eradicated by computerisation of land record.

He said the entire system of police station affairs would be computerised that would help government eliminate the current culture of police.

He said all complaints would be with higher police officials under a track number which would be addressed.

The law minister said the safe city project had been launched in Lahore and cameras would keep monitoring each and every movement in the entire city leaving no room for criminals to escape.

He said the project would also be started in Faisalabad and the CM had given an approval in this regard. He said a survey was being conducted for this project that would also ensure safety of Faisalabad dwellers.

CPO Afzal Kausar said development of infrastructure would improve the police performance.

PROTEST: A group of people staged a demonstration on Monday at the District Council Chowk in protest at the release of three murder suspects by the Factory Area police.

Protesters -- family members of deceased Bilal -- blocked the District Council Chowk, manhandled some motorists who tried to breach the siege, and vandalised a police van patrolling the road.

Bilal, 25, was found unconscious on Samundari Road on Jan 1and later died at hospital on Jan 5.

Police, on the complaint of Bilal’s sister Zunera Sarwar, registered a murder case and arrested Zeeshan, Saeed and Waqas. They were accused of torturing and giving poison to Bilal.

Ms Sarwar told reporters the police had released the suspects at the behest of a PML-N MPA and a family member of a minister.

She claimed the suspects had confessed to killing Bilal but instead of challaning them, the police released them two weeks ago. She said the police did not update them about investigation into the case even though they approached the Factory Area police officials a number of times.

Zunera poured petrol on her in the presence of the police to put herself on fire.

Police assured the protesters of justice.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2016