LAHORE: The families of the two youths who were killed in the firing by police at a picket in Multan on the night before Eidul Fitr demand justice from the government, saying that the police had failed to arrest the suspects involved in the incident.

The two young friends were killed while another was injured by the police for not stopping at a picket in the Shah Rukn-i-Alam area three days ago. Irfan, his younger brother Usman and their friend Samiullah, were going somewhere on a motorcycle when a police patrol signaled them to stop near the Jinnah Park Metro Station at around 11pm on April 21 (Chand Raat).

As the motorcyclists did not stop, the police chased them and opened fire. As a result of the firing, Usman and Samiullah, both pillions, suffered bullet wounds and fell on the ground. Irfan, who was also riding the motorcycle, suffered a bullet wound but managed to escape. Usman and Samiullah were shifted to hospital where they succumbed to their wounds while Irfan was stated to be stable.

Samiullah’s father Saadullah told the media that his son was returning home on the Chand Raat after completing Aitkaf.

Absconding cops involved in shooting identified, one held

He said the authorities should give them the details of the policemen involved in killing his son and his friend and demanded justice from the government and the state.

The families of both the victims had held a protest by putting the bodies of both the young men in front of the police station on Eid day.

The injured Irfan, whose brother Usman was also killed in the incident, said they were on their way to drop off their friend, Samiullah, at his home. The three of them were riding on a motorcycle when police suddenly opened fire on them from behind and a bullet went through his brother and Samiullah, leaving them dead.

Irfan said the police did not even try to take the injured youngsters to hospital. He claimed that he could identify the three police officials who killed his brother. Irfan said it was his brother’s nikah day and they deserved justice.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sohail Chaudhry took notice of the incident and directed his subordinates to register the case and arrest the policemen involved in killing the youngsters.

He said that it was a personal act of the policemen and the department would take measures to stop such incidents in the future. He said the policemen would be arrested soon and the aggrieved party would be provided with justice.

The Shah Rukn-i-Alam Colony police registered a murder case against their unidentified colleagues on the complaint of Samiullah’s father, Saadullah.

City Police Officer Rana Mansoor, in a statement, identified the absconding policemen as ASI Yasir, constables Bilal and Shabbir and driver Javed. He claimed to have arrested Bilal, saying the teams would soon arrest the remaining policemen. He said a police team had been constituted and they were conducting raids in different areas of the city to arrest the absconding policemen.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the killings and sought a report from the inspector general of police and issued orders for a detailed investigation into the case. He issued directions for a departmental inquiry against the policemen involved in the incident.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2023