BAHAWALPUR: The parents and relatives of a man allegedly tortured to death in Dhanote police custody held a protest against the police in district Lodhran on Thursday.

The victim was identified as Muhammad Adil.

At a press conference, his father Muhammad Islam, uncle Zulfiqar Ali and other relatives alleged that Adil was taken into custody by Dhanote police last week over the alleged theft of a goat.

The police demanded Rs1m to release him, they alleged, saying that they did not pay the bribe and the police tortured Adil to death. They said the police told them that Adil had committed suicide.

When they contacted the higher police officials, they pledged to take action against the responsible police officials. But, instead of registering a case on their complaint, the police registered a first information report (FIR) under Section 155-C on the complaint of the SHO Dhanote against a constable and a guard. They demanded the IGP and RPO to register a murder case against the SHO on their complaint.

RECOVERED: The Nowshehra Jadid police in Bahawalpur district claimed to have recovered an infant from the tribal area of Balochistan.

According to SHO Ghulam Rasool, one-and-a-half-year old Aliyar was kidnapped from his village and was shifted to Balochistan by the accused. An abduction case was registered and his parents led the police party to the tribal area from where the child was recovered.

Police arrested two kidnappers, including a woman.

The SHO said that the suspects were shifted to Bahawalpur for interrogation.

DEATHS: Two persons, including a minor girl, died while a man suffered serious burns in separate incidents here.

According to 1122, one Muhammad Ashraf was seriously burnt in a mysterious fire.

According to officials, Ashraf of Alipur (Muzaffargarh) was mentally challenged and he was living in a hostel. He allegedly attempted to set himself on fire.

The officials said his condition was serious and he was being treated at the emergency ward of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH). A man, identified as Muhammad Zeeshan (25), was killed by the Pak Business Train near Ahmedpur East. His body was shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Ahmedpur East.

In the third incident, two-year-old Kinza was killed by a speeding tractor-trolley near Chungi No.4 of Hasilpur. As soon as the minor girl came out of her house, she was run over by a speeding tractor. The driver was arrested by the Hasilpur police.

FEEDERS: Due to last night’s rainfall in south Punjab areas, 250 feeders tripped in the area of Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco).

According to a press release, 45 feeders tripped in Bahawalpur, 50 in Multan and 33 in Dera Ghazi Khan, plunging the areas into darkness.

The Mepco PRO said the line staff was at work to restore the electricity.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2023