IGP justifies police action | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

IGP justifies police action

LAHORE- Punjab Inspector-General of police (IGP) Asif Hayat defended police action against journalists. He said the police were bound to keep the route of the president clear that the journalists were trying to block. He was talking to reporters at the oath-taking ceremony of two Punjab ministers.

When asked whether he condoned the action, he replied in the negative, maintaining that the police could be faulted for performing their duty.

He did not agree with a reporter that the governor’s “emotional criticism” encouraged the police to swoop on the journalists. “I was there and it was hardly possible to hear outside the stadium what was being said inside. Thus, the question of taking cue from the governor’s criticism does not arise,” he asserted.

When reminded that his assertion meant that the Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) concerned decided on his own to torture the journalists, the IGP reverted to his earlier claim that they were duty-bound to clear the road.

About the inquiry, the IGP said that a committee headed by the Faisalabad crime range Superintendent Police (SP) had been formed. But it would only “determine whether the use of force was excessive or not.” Any one found guilty would not be spared, he asserted.
Source: Dawn
Date:4/16/2002