SIALKOT, Feb 25: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has taken a serious notice of a youth’s death in police custody on Friday and sought a report in this regard within a week.

Pervaiz Elahi directed chief minister’s monitoring cell in-charge Haji Muhammad Nawaz Malik to investigate the matter.

Shah Muhammad (22) was picked up from his house in Jandar Bazaar by Hajipura ASIs Rana Gulzar, Nawaz Tiwana and six constables for his alleged involvement in a dacoity case. They kept the accused in their private torture cell where he died. Later, the police handed over the body to his heirs.

On Friday, a large number of people, including heirs of the deceased, had staged a protest demonstration at Allama Iqbal Chowk against policemen responsible for the killing of Shah Muhammad.

Protesters, including women and children, placed the body on the road and chanted anti-police slogans, demanding immediate arrest of the accused policemen. They were also carrying placards and banners.

Several people had been injured when policemen baton-charged protesters in their bid to disperse them. All shops in Allama Iqbal Chowk remained closed.

The Hajipura police had registered a murder case against the two ASIs and six constables.

Jinnah Stadium: The newly set up special managerial committee has taken over the control of Jinnah Stadium from the District Cricket Association.

Sialkot DCO Shafqat Ranjha told journalists on Saturday that the committee took over the stadium after failure of the former management committee to improve it and provide facilities according to international standard.

The DCO said the special committee would also audit the accounts.

Mr Ranjha said the condition of the stadium was very miserable and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unable to hold international and domestic matches here.

Sialkot EDO (revenue) has been appointed chairman of the committee, while EDOs of works and education, DO (revenue), TMO and district sports organiser would be its members, the DCO concluded.