OKARA: A police constable was injured on Tuesday night by two brothers quarantined in their house over Covid-19 suspicion, for thwarting their attempt to escape at 7/1-L village.

According to police, Malik Kamran and his brother Malik Imran returned to their native 7/1-L village from Gowadar, Balochistan, after the industrial unit where they were employed was shut down because of coronavirus outbreak.

Both were examined by the district health authority team which recommended that they should be quarantined in their house at the village.

The administration deployed Constable Nisar Ahmad as guard outside their house.

The police said that on Tuesday night, Kamran and Imran attempted to escape from the house, while Constable Nisar stopped them. At this, the brothers attacked the policeman with bricks, injuring him seriously.

However, on being informed of the incident by some locals, a team of Renala Khurd police station rushed to the spot and overpowered the fleeing suspects and arrested them.

The injured constable was shifted by his colleagues to Renala Khurd Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

Later, District Police Officer Umer Saeed Malik went to the hospital to inquire after the injured constable and gave him Rs10,000 cash reward on behalf of Sahiwal Regional Police Officer Humayun Bashir Tarrar, besides a commendation certificate, for performing his duty diligently.

The police are looking into the matter for initiating legal proceedings against the suspects.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2020