HYDERABAD: Jamshoro police on Monday set free the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) security guard detained after a clash with police late on Sunday evening at toll plaza of M9 (Karachi-Hyderabad) Motorway.

The area SHO and some other policemen were beaten up by FWO staff and the rifle of a policeman was snatched during the clash. However, in a late-night meeting between the two sides, the rifle was returned to Jamshoro SSP Tauqir Naeem and the matter was finally settled with the release of the guard on Monday.

SSP Naeem had confirmed detention of the guard, Hussain Bux, on Sunday evening and insisted on an apology from the FWO management for his release. He had stated that the FWO staff had manhandled policemen and misbehaved with Jamshoro Sessions Judge Jehangir Dayo. The police officer had warned that a case would be registered against the FWO staff if an apology did not come from them.

The unpleasant incident occurred when Judge Dayo along with his family stopped his official car at the M9 toll plaza while returning from Karachi. He was being escorted by a police party riding a mobile van.

When the FWO staff made the judge wait for several minutes, his guard spoke to them but was not given an audience. The FWO staff allegedly misbehaved with him.

The judge spoke to SSP Naeem over phone after which the police officer asked SHO Ashfaq Mangi to move to the spot. However, the FWO staff allegedly misbehaved with the SHO and his team and then a clash took place between the two sides.

The SHO and policemen claimed they were beaten up and the rifle of a police constable was also snatched. In the meantime, the judge along with his family and escort drove away.

Meanwhile, lawyers held a protest on Monday against FWO after a meeting of the Jamshoro District Bar Association (DBA) discussed and condemned the incident.

The bar demanded registration of an FIR against the FWO staff involved. The lawyers also boycotted court proceedings for the day.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2019