Most Afghans held in raid freed

Published August 28, 2004

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Assistant Commissioner, Saddar Circle, Saeed Ramzan, on Friday released majority of the people arrested on Thursday night from Afghan colony in sector H-11.

As many as 265 people were booked under section 55/109 (wandering), while a stolen motorbike and half kg charas were also seized during the operation. The AC Saddar told this reporter that the majority of those arrested were not found involved in criminal activities, therefore they were released on the personal assurances of their elders.

He said some persons, who were involved in robberies, theft and other illegal activities, were taken in police custody and investigation was in progress. Mr Ramzan said the authorities had received a tip-off that some residents of katchi abadis were involved in criminal activities.

"We are planning to involve Afghan Embassy and the UNHCR in our futures raid," the AC added. The residents of the Afghan colony released from police custody told Dawn that they were kept in inhuman condition. "No one provided us food and water."

They alleged that when the police failed to prove their involvement in any criminal activities, they lodged a case against them on the charge of 'wandering' for face saving.

It may be mentioned here that a heavy contingent of Islamabad police, accompanied by Frontier Constabulary, raided Afghan Colony katchi abadi at Sector H-11 on Thursday and rounded up 265 people.

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