HARIPUR: Six policemen including a station house officer were suspended on the recommendation of an inquiry committee for subjecting members of the transgender community to a baton-charge during a protest recently.

Around 15 to 20 transgender persons had blocked the GT Road outside the office of deputy commissioner on May 22 to protest against a ‘ban’ on their performance at weddings by the district administration.

However, the deputy commissioner and district police officer had denied that the administration had imposed such a ban.

The transgender community members were staging protest when they were subjected to baton-charge.

A video went viral on the social media showing the cops subjecting the protesters to a baton charge.

District police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur had constituted an inquiry committee headed by DSP Headquarters, Tanvir Ahmad Tanoli, to look into the matter.

Six policemen including SHO city police station Inspector Haroon Khan, ASI Nauman Arshad, constables Asim, Faheem Shehzad, Sajid and Muhammad Zubair were suspended and ordered to report to the police lines on account of misuse of powers and misconduct.

When contacted, DPO Shafiullah confirmed that the disciplinary action was taken after examination of video clips wherein all the suspended cops could be seen beating the members of the transgender community.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026