Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: The video of policemen subjecting a citizen to torture sparked a public outcry across the country on Sunday evening. The video of policemen beating a citizen for not paying Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) bills went viral on social media. The incident prompted the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Quetta, Abdul Hayee Baloch to suspend two policemen. “We ordered an inquiry and a senior police officer is leading the team”, Mr. Baloch told Daily Quetta Voice via telephone.
#واپڈا نادہندگان ۔۔۔یہ کیا ہورہا ہے۔۔۔#کوئٹہ #پولیس کی جانب سے اسطرح تشدد۔۔۔بات وہی ہے بس 20 ہزار کے نادہندگان کی اسطرح مار پیٹ۔۔۔روزمرہ کا معمول۔۔۔نوٹس لیا گیا۔۔۔صرف بیان کی حدتک @UmarCheema1 @xadeejourno @nausheenyusuf @hamzashafqaat @zehrijournalist pic.twitter.com/HVG1v1ETKX
— Syed Ali Shah (@alishahjourno) September 24, 2023
3 policemen were seen in the video beating a citizen
In the video, three policemen were seen subjecting the citizen to torture. It was widely shared on social media, prompting the Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister, Jan Achakzai to take notice of the incident. “Government has taken notice of the incident”, Mr. Achakzai told Daily Quetta Voice. He assured that the responsible policemen would be taken to task.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Quetta, Abdul Hayee Baloch told this scribe that two policemen have been suspended in this regard. An inquiry committee led by a senior officer has been formed to submit a report regarding the incident, Mr. Baloch mentioned.
People demanded action against policemen
In their posts and tweets, people demanded action against the policemen involved in subjecting the citizens to torture. People lashed out at the QESCO for taking action against only what they called poor and voiceless people of the society. The charge was vehemently denied by the company’s Chief Executive Engineer Abdul Kareem Jamali. “Our recovery process is underway across the board”, Mr. Jamali said
QESCO has launched a crackdown against electricity defaulters in Quetta city. So far, over 1000 defaulters have been booked by police.
The public humiliation and torture of citizens have sadly become recurring and deeply troubling occurrences. These actions are not only human rights violations but also stark indicators of a regime’s authoritarian control over its population.. Citizens are subjected to physical and psychological abuse, leaving lasting scars on their bodies and minds.