Scores of people from Mohalla Sharifpura on Thursday staged a protest demonstration accusing police of killing an innocent man in a “fake encounter.”
The protestors placed the body of the deceased, Muhammad Naeem, a shopkeeper, at Saleemi Chowk, Satiana Road, and chanted slogans against the police.
Muhammad Saleem, one of the protestors, said, “The Batala Colony and Peoples Colony police staged a fake encounter to kill robbers near Saleemi Chowk on Wednesday.”
“They killed Naeem claiming he was a robber,” he said.
“When we went to the police to ask why an innocent man had been killed they threatened us with dire consequences,” he said.
The protestors burnt tyres and demanded immediate action against policemen involved in shooting Naeem.
City Police Officer’s (CPO) Spokesman Amir Nasir Javaid denied the allegations that the encounter was a fake.
“When a police team stopped three robbers they opened fire at them…Muhammad Naeem, a passerby, was shot by the outlaws,” he said.
Javaid said police had initially thought that Naeem was an accomplice of the robbers but later he was identified as a shopkeeper.
He said he had already requested the Faisalabad district and sessions judge to hold a judicial inquiry of the incident.
The protest ended when Muhammad Nazir, a city district government official, assured the protestors that the matter would be resolved.
He also announced Rs500,000 compensation for the family of the deceased on behalf of the chief minister.
Man’s death in robbery sparks protest
A man was shot dead by robbers in Madina Town area on Thursday.
Police said the deceased, Ejaz Ahmad, a resident of Shamsabad, was fatally shot on resisting robbers.
Ahmad’s relatives and neighbours held a protest demonstration against police.
“Ahmad was on his way home when some armed men intercepted him and tried to snatch his cash, mobile phone,” said Abdur Razzaq, one of the protestors. “When he resisted, they shot him.”
Ahmad sustained multiple injuries. He was taken to a hospital but did not survive.
The protestors thronged the Chak Jhurma Road, erected blockades and burned tyres.
Muhammad Akram, one of the protestors, said, “The police patronise criminals instead of taking action against them.”
“This is why outlaws roam around with impunity. They commit crimes in broad daylight without a fear.”
The assembled chanted slogans and asked for immediate arrest of the culprits. They also demanded action against the police for failing to secure the streets.
Madina Town Superintendent Nasir Sial visited the scene. He assured the protestors that the culprits would be arrested soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2013.