BAHAWALPUR, Oct 10: Scores of people on Tuesday blocked Bahawalpur-Yazman Road, damaged buses, shops, police station and THQ Hospital in protest against `custodial killing’ of a youth by police.

Reports said Akhtar and his brother Ashraf were rounded up by the Yazman police on Sunday to pressurise the family for the arrest of their brother Arshad Buttar of Chak No 102/DB who was wanted in a murder case.

Police said Akhtar had complained of chest pain after taking meal at Sehr on Tuesday and was taken to Yazman THQ hospital. After treatment he was brought back to the police station. After some time, he again complained of pain and was brought to courtyard of the police station. He died in police van on way to hospital.

Later, his family members along with others allegedly attacked the police station and broke windowpanes. Thereafter, they manhandled doctors and other staff members at THQ hospital and snatched Akhtar’s body from them. They also blocked highway for about two hours and damaged several buses and nearby shops.

On receipt of information, acting DPO Muhammad Saleem along with a heavy police contingent rushed to the spot and assured the protesters that murder case against SHO would be registered if police torture was proved.

However, a case against SI Manzoor Ahmed Bhutta was registered on charges of negligence and failure to provide prompt medical treatment to Akhtar.