DADU: Four policemen and a civilian were arrested for uploading fake videos, showing women being tortured by uniformed men, five days back, Jamshoro SSP Tauqir Mohammad Naeem told a press conference at Bhan Syedabad police station on Saturday.

He said nine suspects, eight of them in police uniforms, were involved in the conspiracy to damage the image of the area police by preparing and uploading the videos that went viral.

The SSP said that in the investigation into the matter, four of the uniformed suspects turned out to be policemen and the other four impersonators. The videos showed that the suspects were brutally torturing women and gave the impression that all this happened in Bhan Syedabad five days ago.

Sharing the facts collected during the investigation, the police officer told the media that two days before the videos were uploaded, a clash between traders of the area and a criminal gang occurred. He said the gang led by Karo Machhi demanded protection money from a trader in Bhan Syedabad town and faced resistance. A clash ensued and police were called in by the trader community.

The SSP said that a police team led by Bhan Syedabad SHO Ashraf Shahani challenged the gangsters and in the engagement the SHO and two constables were injured. Karo Machhi, wanted in 42 criminal cases, Zahid Machhi, wanted in six such cases, and Shaboo Machhi, wanted in three cases, were arrested after the clash.

The SSP said that the arrests provoked the gang — mainly operating in Nawabshah and Naushahro Feroze for several years — and it resorted to retaliate by defaming the Bhan Syedabad police through the videos. He said the videos were filmed in Lakha town of Naushahro Feroze district by Karo Machhi’s associates and the women appeared to be their relatives, belonging to the Solangi community.

He identified some of the suspects as Liaquat Solangi, Mukhtiar Solangi, Anwar Solangi and Mumtaz Solangi, adding that raids were being carried out to arrest the other suspects.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2019