Punjab CM suspends SP, DSP, police station staff

MULTAN: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday suspended the entire 36-member staff of Muzaffarabad Police Station besides SP and DSP, and made the Multan CPO an OSD over negligence that led to the alleged rape of two girls in Muzaffarabad area of Multan.

The chief minister arrived in Multan without prior intimation and visited the Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC) where he met with the rape victim’s family and extended his sympathies. He assured them of providing justice.

Talking to journalists, Shahbaz criticised the Multan Police and their shameful performance and said all the persons held responsible for the act would be dealt with an iron hand.

He said the panchayat incident was the worst example of cruelty and reminded of the Stone Age, adding that the guilty people would not be spared.

The chief minister said it was shameful to police that the first rape incident had happened on July 16 and the second Panchayat on July 18 but the police registered the FIR after eight days on July 25.

He said it was an example of shameful violence and the police remained quiet and didn’t take swift action, adding that the police failed in performing their duty and showed criminal negligence.

The chief minister said he had constituted an inquiry committee comprising three senior police officials who would reach Multan on Thursday (today) from Lahore. He said the inquiry committee would submit a report in the next 72 hours.

He assured both the victim girls of justice and providing   security and said the Punjab government would look after them, including arranging medical treatment and bearing expenses.

Shahbaz said the police played a criminal role and tried to reconcile both the families to bury the crime.

He said the delayed police action provided ample environment to the happening of second incident involving panchayat, which could have been prevented through timely arrest of those involved in the first rape.

He said the Supreme Court had taken notice of the incident, adding that a comprehensive report would be submitted to the apex court.

Earlier, the chief minister presided over a meeting during which Multan RPO Sultan Azam Taimuri briefed him on the cases of violence against women and the overall law and order situation in the region.  

The chief Minister questioned the police officials why the culprits could not be apprehended after the registration of FIR. He said two girls were brutally raped while the police were sleeping.