SHO, three cops suspended after traders protest police highhandedness

MANSEHRA: The station-house-officer and three other cops were suspended after traders and locals staged protest against police highhandedness and torture of handcart pushers and shopkeepers in New Darband area on Tuesday.

The angry protesters also attempted to attack the patrolling van of the police, but over a dozen constables onboard fired into the air to disperse them. The protesters, who marched through various roads, were chanting slogans against New Darband Police Station officials and assembled at the main Chowk. Holding placards, they demanded removal of SHO Anwar Khan and policemen, who according to them, baton-charged shoppers and handcart pushers. The former New Darband neighbourhood council nazim, Habib Sakhi, speaking on the occasion, said SHO Anwar Khan had tortured handcart pushes and shoppers. “We are law-abiding people but the police humiliated the shopkeepers and handcart pushers without any reasons as their shops and business were completely shut,” said Habib Sakhi. The protesters dispersed peacefully after Deputy Superintendent of Police Oghi, Ibrar Khan, rushed to scene and held talks with them. Ibrar Khan announced the SHO and policemen of New Darband Police Station involved in highhandedness and torture of shopkeepers and handcart pushers would be taken to justice under strict relevant laws. DPO Sadiq Baloch later in day ordered an inquiry and suspended SHO Anwar Khan. He made Mohammad Nawaz as new SHO of the police station.