Cop dismissed for ‘torturing woman’

TIMERGARA: Dir Lower District Police Officer (DPO) Arif Shahbaz Wazir on Sunday took notice of a news item that went viral on social media and terminated Mohibullah, a special police force (SPF) constable, who allegedly tortured and wounded an old begging woman at Timergara bazaar.

As soon as the photo of elderly woman with blood on her head went viral, comments criticising the police force spread like wildfire. “I can’t believe any Pakhtun policeman within the culture of Dir could do so?” stated Member Provincial Assembly Dr Sumaira Shams.

Talking to this correspondent, the sacked policeman Muhibullah said that he belonged to a poor family and had been feeding his family with his salary. He said that he had not pushed the old woman but actually he was preventing her from a crowd in front of the Timergara Tableeghi Markaz.

The official said the old woman slipped and was hit by a pillar. He said that he had nothing to do with the incident but people without any investigation circulated and shared the video.

He said that he was now unable to clarify his position as he had been cursed on the social media. “I have been working in special police force on fixed salary of Rs15000,” he added.

He said he could not even think of misbehaving with women, especially the elderly. He appealed to the district police officer and high-ups of police department to properly probe the matter and punish him if he was found guilty or restore him. Talking to this scribe, DPO Arif Shahbaz Wazir confirmed that the services of the cop had been terminated. He said the sacked cop was serving as contract employee in the police.