A MEMBER of the janitorial staff associated with the local municipal committee was allegedly attacked by a group of young men in Johi town recently, leaving him with serious head injuries. Police refused to register a case as the group was said to belong to some political influentials of the area.

When the relatives and friends of the victim blocked the Johi-Dadu road, a police contingent reached the spot and asked the protesters to end their protest immediately, otherwise action would be taken against them. The protesters refused to oblige till a case was registered and the accused were arrested. Later, reportedly, police did register a case after local activists joined the protest.

The critical thing is that the local police force has completely subordinated itself to the powerful and influential persons.

The crime rate is increasing and so is the sense of insecurity among the people. The police force is simply doing its best to protect the powerful and persecute the powerless. Is this what it should be?

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2024