KARACHI, Aug 30: Fishermen of the Kotri SITE area have accused of killing an innocent man, Nisar Ahmad Mallah. Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Monday , Qazi Mallah said that Nisar Ahmed, 28, used to work in a factory in Karachi while his wife lived in Kotri.

He alleged that Bashiran Mangi, who was neighbour of Nisar's brother in Kotri, had come to his house on Aug 17. She told Nisar that his wife was pregnant and asked him to come along with her to Kotri, he said.

Qazi Mallah said that Nisar took Rs80,000 with him and went along with Bashiran Mangi to Kotri. When he reached the railway crossing in Kotri SITE area, he was arrested by ASI Mazhar Pittafi, Head Constable Arif Abbasi, constables Asghar Halo and Mukhtar for allegedly robbing his own brother.

Despite that no FIR of the robbery had been lodged, he said, the policemen arrested him and subjected him to alleged torture as a result of which he died. He alleged that after killing Nisar, the police subjected his body to electric shocks.

According to medical reports, Nisar had died between 11am and 11.30am whereas the police informed his relatives around 5pm that Nisar had committed suicide by climbing on high voltage electric pole near police post Anwarzeb on the border of Thatta and Dadu districts on the National Highway.

He appealed to President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Arbab Rahim to take punitive measures against the police which had become brutal and ruthless.

Following the press conference, a large number of people belonging to fishermen community in Kotri held a protest demonstration outside Karachi Press Club. Holding placards and banners, the protesters chanted slogans against police and demanded legal action against the policemen involved in the incident.