HYDERABAD, April 22: The Qasimabad police have tortured a watchman, Ghulam Mustafa, during his illegal confinement at the Qasimabad police station in connection with a theft case.

Ghulam Mustafa, who is in his early 40s, told this correspondent in the surgical ward-3 of the Civil Hospital that last week a theft was committed in Nasim Nagar, phase-III, in a house, owned by Khalil Ahmed Memon, an official of the Board of Revenue.

He said that his duty was over in the wee hours of the morning and the theft was committed after that.

He said that the Qasimabad police picked him up, forcing him to reveal the names of the thieves although he did not know anything about the robbery.

He alleged that he was beaten black and blue during his custody at the police station on Friday.

He said that he was blindfolded and released after being detained for the entire day. Then he was called again and maltreated. There were several bruises on his buttocks.

He was bedridden in the hospital.

Mustafa said that even residents of the area including the Memon family told the police that the watchman was not involved but the Qasimabad police were forcing him to reveal the names of the thieves.

According to the Qasimabad police, jewellry worth Rs60,000 was stolen in the theft.

The Munshi of the police station said that he did not know whether Ghulam Mustafa was picked up as the case was pending with the investigation wing.

No official of the investigation wing was available at the police station.

STPP: Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi has blamed the Sindh government for taking a weak stand on the greater Thal canal.