DADU: Kotri SITE police reportedly picked up four youths in late night raids on their houses in the wake of a protest by members of Leghari community against arrest of their teenage relative after a ‘staged’ encounter.

Police had registered a case against 28 protesters under relevant sections of Terrorism Act. They had staged a demonstration on the National Highway against police a day ago after CIA police detained 18-year-old Amir Leghari on charge of being an extortionist and then handed him over to Kotri SITE police.

Kotri police said that they had arrested Amir after he fell injured in an encounter but the suspect’s relatives disputed the claim. Police then raided houses of Leghari community late in the night and picked up the four youths but they had not yet revealed their arrest, said Amir’s relatives.

They said that CIA police had detained the youth three days ago and then handed him over to Kotri SITE police, who demanded Rs1 million bribe for his release. When they refused to pay, they injured him in a staged encounter, they said, adding police had not yet produced any criminal record of the youth.

They said that they would file a petition against police in Sindh High Court. Police were holding incommunicado the four youths, Aslam Leghari, Ajib Leghari, Rashid Leghari and Sajjad Leghari, and they feared for lives. Their lives were in danger, they said.

The case was filed against 13 identified men and 10 unidentified men and five identified women.

They were charged with disturbing general public, pelting vehicles with stones, damaging police mobile van and insulting policemen.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024