SAHIWAL: Ghala Mandi police arrested 11 people and booked 37 for holding a demonstration at the Sahiwal Bypass for arrest of a constable who had allegedly killed a citizen with his official pistol over a minor issue at Pakpattan Chowk four days back.

On Oct 13, a day after the murder of Akhtar by Constable Bilal, the family of the deceased held a protest for a couple of hours, demanding arrest of the suspect by placing the body on the road.

On Saturday, a case was registered on complaint of a citizen, Muhammad Ramzan, a resident of Chak 99A/6-R, who claimed that the protesters had snatched his wallet containing Rs60,000, ATM cards and documents while they also damaged his car.

Ghala Mandi SHO Muddasar Ghaffar said police had arrested 11 people last night while raids were being conducted to arrest the others.

In a voice message on social media, Akhtar’s brother said police harassed those demanding justice against a policeman.

DPO Sadiq Baloch said the protesters had created a law and order situation and their demand was illegal. He said the constable had been arrested and suspended from service.

Many on social media claimed Ghala Mandi police registered a fake FIR on the complaint of Ramzan, an insurance company employee, alleged that he was not at the site of protest while the car mentioned in his FIR was not owned by him.

This correspondent tried to contact Ramzan but he did not respond to any query.

Akhtar’s family alleged that police raided its houses at night, beaten up and arrested its members.

The DPO claimed they have nominated all 26 accused after examining pictures, and mobile footage made by the complainant during the protest.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2022