KARACHI/SUKKUR: Amid a public uproar in the media over alleged gang-rape of a 12-year-old housemaid by seven suspects at her employers’ house in Malir, Karachi, the Kandhkot SSP, Samiullah Soomro on Tuesday informed Inspector General of Police A.D. Khowaja through the Larkana DIG that two of the suspects had been arrested and a hunt for others was on.

The incident, which reportedly took place four to five days ago, had triggered public protests after it was aired by some private TV channels. The IGP taking notice of the incident asked the SSP to immediately seek details of the FIR (74/2017) registered at the A-Section police station of Kandhkot against the seven suspects.

According to a spokesman for the IGP, the SSP was also asked to provide to the provincial police chief the progress report of the investigation into the matter and ensure protection to the victim and her family.

The spokesman said that the suspects and victims belonged to Kandhkot. He said that soon after the incident, the suspects had informed the victim’s family that she was not well and that she should be taken to her home for treatment.

However, he said, she narrated her ordeal at her employers’ house only after it transpired during her medical examination in a local hospital that she was subjected to gang rape.

In his report, the Kandhkot SSP said that raiding teams had already been formed to arrest the remaining suspects.

Meanwhile, local leaders, activists and supporters of the Sindh United Party (SUP) and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) took out separate rallies in Kandhkot on Tuesday to demand arrest of all suspects.

The SUP rally was led by Shahnawaz Marhato and the JSQM rally by Akram Bajkani.

Both rallies started from the Clock Tower area and ended outside the local press club.

The participants raised slogans against the suspects and demanded their immediate arrest. They also demanded suitable medical treatment for the victim and said justice be done to the affected family.

The culprits must be taken to task, they said.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2017