LAHORE, July 13: City police chief DIG Tariq Saleem Dogar on Tuesday directed all the divisional SPs to register criminal cases against policemen found guilty of torture and illegal confinement.

In a circular issued here to the SPs, Mr Dogar said there should not be any tolerance with regard to the two offences. "No policemen is entitled to use torture or illegal confinement as investigation tools." Immediate action be taken and disciplinary action initiated in case of any such complaint, he added.

Urging a visible change in the police station culture, the DIG stated in the circular that he would like to see a people-friendly environment at the police stations.

Mr Dogar said he had repeatedly issued directions to officers in individual and collective meetings for ensuring positive changes in the police's dealing with public, but his orders were not being implemented in letter and spirit.

Citing an instance of torture, the DIG said he had recently suspended from service five officials, including an SHO, and a case was also registered against them. He added that such incidents would just bring a bad name to the police department.

The DIG directed the SPs to pay surprise visits to the police stations and ensure redress of complaints and give them a patient hearing.