SAHIWAL, Jan 11: The family of a girl, who was murdered in her house on Dec 11, has called for the arrest of her killers and accused the police of protecting the criminals.

Shagufta, 22, of Kameer was shot dead inside her house by seven armed men at 9am on Dec 11. Kameer police registered a case against her alleged murderers, including brothers Arshad and Afzal, on the complaint of Shagufta’s father Muhammad Aslam.

According to the family, Arshad shot Shagufta in the head with his 30-bore pistol. Kameer residents protested against the brutal murder and it was because of the protests that Kameer police registered the case against the accused.

It is said that five people named in the FIR belong to the local Chattha Gang. Locals have many complaints against the gang.

“They are involved in prostitution, illegal arms and drugs business and sheltering proclaimed offenders,” Safarish Ali from Kameer told Dawn.

Shagufta’s father Aslam was also vocal against the activities of Arshad, the head of Chattha Gang. He got registered an FIR against Arshad and other members of his gang with Kameer police on Dec 9. Locals said Shagufta would frequently abuse Arshad and his brother for bringing girls to their outhouse.

Shagufta’s relatives Akram, Aslam and Tariq said police did not arrest any accused even 30 days after her murder. All accused were still at large and threatening the victim family.

Kameer SHO Rasheed denied police were protecting the accused. He said all accused were on interim bail and added that police would arrest them as soon as their bail expires.

A group of about 50 relatives of Shagufta recently met

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and briefed him about the murder. Later, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat directed Multan Regional Police Officer Arif Ikram to investigate the murder and submit a report on the issue within six days. —Correspondent