Khwaja Hoti versus Mardan Police: PPP stages protest rally in Mardan against police

MARDAN: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Tuesday staged a protest rally against the police after accusing the force of victimising and harassing the people. The rally was led by former federal minister and PPP leader Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti, former deputy speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Ikramullah Shahid, Nawabzada Aurangzeb Khan and others.

The procession started from Khwaja Hoti's residence and a number of PPP workers joined it. The protesters chanted slogans against the PTI-led provincial government and the Mardan Police. Later, a protest meeting was held at the Bacha Khan Chowk. Speaking on the occasion, Khwaja Hoti criticised the local police and accused it victimising and harassing the people in Mardan.

He said the police officials had been appointed on the basis of political affiliation in Mardan. Khwaja Hoti alleged the police harassed respectable citizens instead of maintaining law and order and taking action against the criminals. He demanded the transfer of the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) and district police officer (DPO).

Meanwhile, the Mardan Police defended itself and explained its side of the story. It said that a 16-year old boy Uzair, son of Pervez Khan and resident of Mohallah Takadaran Kaskoroona, along with his father and local elders met DPO Mian Saeed Ahmed at his office.

They complained to him that the boy was standing near a grocery store at Muslimabad when one Rahman, son of Adil and resident of Bharicham, allegedly tried to sexually abuse him. The aggrieved family told the DPO that Rahman hit the boy with his pistol and inflicted injuries to his face and body.

The accused, according to the police, resorted to aerial firing when the people gathered there. The boy told the DPO that Rahman escaped from the spot. The DPO directed Kosar Khan, Station Police Officer (SHO) of Par Hoti Police Station, to arrest the accused.

The sources said the cops had been tipped off that the accused Rahman had allegedly sought refuge at the hujra of Khwaja Hoti. Subsequently, the cops went there to make the arrest, but he had escaped before the police arrived there. The sources added that the DPO contacted Khwaja Hoti to seek his help in apprehending the accused. Later, Khwaja Hoti contacted Regional Police Officer Alam Khan Shinwari. The sources added that harsh words were exchanged between the DIG and Khwaja Hoti on phone. The police registered a case against the accused under sections 377, 511 and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code.