KARACHI, Feb 25: Two policemen were arrested on charge of unintentional murder after a youth, picked up late Friday night, died in the Manghopir police lockup on Saturday morning.

Police said the youth, identified as Asif Imdad, 25, was picked up from a shantytown in Manghopir for allegedly keeping 300 grams of charas. He was arrested and taken to the police station where his condition deteriorated and he died.

However, the City Police Chief, Niaz Siddiki, said: “It has been established that the youth was subjected to torture. The police officials picked up the youth, beat him and subjected him to torture at the lockup. Doctors have confirmed the torture after post-mortem.”

He said Sub-Inspector Ghulam Hussain Korai and Assistant Sub-Inspector Arif Abbasi were arrested and a case of unintentional murder was registered against them.

Family members and relatives of the deceased staged a protest against the arrest and subsequent death in custody of Asif Imdad. They staged a sit-in on Manghopir Road and raised slogans against the police.

They alleged that Asif was picked up from Mianwali Colony, which did not fall in the jurisdiction of the Manghopir police station. They charged that the policemen responsible for Asif’s death had settled a score.

Sources said the body of the deceased was taken to Civil Hospital after a delay of more than 12 hours for post-mortem. They said a dispute over some personal matter had been lingering on between the policeman, Korai, and the deceased, Asif Imdad.

ARRESTS: Four alleged robbers and a drug-pusher were arrested in various parts on Saturday.