LAHORE, April 23: The medico legal surgeon has confirmed 80 cases this year in which Lahore police tortured citizens.

Most of the victims are stated to be labourers or shopkeepers. The list includes three women and a policeman.

A report of the medico legal surgeon’s department says eight of the victims had more than 10 injuries each. They included Asif, 15, (Shahdra), Liaqat Ali, 31, and Khalid Shahzad, (North Cantonment), Muhammad Latif, 55, (Shafiqabad), Talat Mahmood, (Race Course) and Muhammad Ashraf (Chuhng).

The police stations involving two or more of the cases were Shahdra, Tibi City, North Cantonment, Ravi Road, Shadbagh, Masti Gate, Lorry Adda, Riawind, Iqbal Town, Kot Lakhpat, Shafiqabad, Green Town and Nishter Colony.

According to a complaint lodged by Riaz Ahmad, 21, he was signalled to stop on his way home. The policemen, he said, then took him with them, saying he was needed in a case, and beat him up. Anout 20 victims have narrated similar stories.

Shakeel, 16, a labourer, alleged that the police had picked him up from Lorry Adda. He said he was tortured and released the next day after he paid Rs1,800.

Amjad, 30, Muhammad Riaz, Muhammad Mansha, 34, and Muhammad Ashraf, 25, were arrested by the police from Wagha, Ravi Road, Chuhng and Shadbagh. They were reportedly released after they paid Rs50,000, Rs5,200, Rs1,200 and Rs2,000, respectively.

Safia Begum, 36, of Shafiqabad said the police had stormed into her house and beat up her and her son. The medico-legal surgeon found eight injury marks on her body. Tahira, 16, and Rabia, 20, were tortured by Kot Lakhpat and Lorry Adda police, respectively.

Constable Sain Akhtar alleged in his report that he was on his way to Nishter Colony when some policemen stopped him and beat him up.