By Ali Raza
LAHORE: In a move that has opened a can of worms, Faisalabad police have launched an inquiry against ten policemen, including the SHO of Dijkot police station, on charges of forcibly entering a journalist’s house and harassing his daughter.
The inquiry has been initiated on the direction of the Regional Police Officer Faisalabad, Zeeshan Asghar in response to an application submitted by Abrar Hussain, whose house was raided by the Dijkot Police on Feb 26 last.
He alleged that Dijkot police SHO led the raid.
Journalist Recounts Raid and Daughter’s Harassment
Talking to Grand Lines News, Abrar Hussain, works for a national news channel, recounted that his daughter, a Master’s student, was home alone when the police raided his residence.
He asserted that he had a clean slate. I am still in a mind-boggling situation about what had prompted the police to raid his house, he added.
He said that the policemen, including the SHO and others, descended on his house like a ton of bricks without any search warrant. They raided the house without a female police officer and allegedly harassed my daughter, he claimed.
Allegations of CPO Involvement and False Images
Upon being informed of the incident, he said he contacted a policeman who has an acquaintance with him, asking him why his house was raided.
Instead of providing a satisfactory explanation, he said the policeman attempted to sugarcoat the pill by claiming it was done on the instructions of the City Police Officer (CPO) Faisalabad.
The CPO was pressing the Dijkot police to conduct a search operation in the area and report back with the images of the operation. The constable further told Ibrar that his house had been raided only to cook up some images for the satisfaction of the CPO.
Ibrar said that the constable hung up the phone, saying he would explain the entire situation during a face-to-face meeting.
Journalist Claims Illegal Raid and Police Threats
“I asked the constable, ‘What kind of search operation is this,’ as only his house had been raided illegally. During the raid, the policemen threw mud at my daughter, threatening her with dire consequences. The policemen knew where my shop was, but none of them lifted a finger to contact me,” he claimed.
He further said that the SHO was in a private vehicle, two people were in plain clothes, and the remaining policemen were in their uniforms.
Inquiry Delayed, Accused Officers Absent
Ibrar said that following his application, the Regional Police Officer directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Iqbal Town to conduct an inquiry into the issue.
He said the SP’s office summoned him on Monday for the inquiry; however, the SP was out of the office due to an official assignment. He said that the reader of the SP asked him to return for the inquiry in two days.
When I reached the SP office, not a single accused policeman was present, he added.
Journalist Vows to Pursue Justice Despite Pressure
He said that he was receiving calls from various people attempting to convince him to drop the inquiry against the accused policemen.
However, he vowed not to succumb to any pressure, claiming he will leave no stone unturned until justice is served.
