According to press reports, Ansar Naqvi of “The News” and M. H. Khan of the daily “Dawn” were returning from the Phulleli Police station after obtaining information regarding a case involving the death of four persons from poisonous liquor, when they were signalled to stop. The police constable checked their identification cards and allowed them […]
According to press reports, Ansar Naqvi of “The News” and M. H. Khan of the
daily “Dawn” were returning from the Phulleli Police station after obtaining
information regarding a case involving the death of four persons from
poisonous liquor, when they were signalled to stop. The police constable
checked their identification cards and allowed them to go. But Assistant Sub
Inspector (ASI) Saalim Rind, in charge of the police picket, ordered his
subordinate to deflate the tires of their motorbike and asked them to
dismount from their motorbike.
Ansar Naqvi asked the ASI to act like an officer, to which the ASI replied,
“Don’t teach me, I know how to deal with pressmen, and you can’t hang me.”
When told again not to lose his temper the ASI slapped Ansar Naqvi and
snatched both of their cards. At this point M. H. Khan intervened to pacify
the ASI, who at that moment had become totally out of control.
As news of the incident had already reached the press club and newspapers, a
number of photographers and journalists rushed to the scene and took
photographs of the ASI. Ansar Naqvi tried to reach the Deputy Commissioner
(DC) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), but they were not
available. However, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Phulleli (ASP),
Inkisar Ahmed, and the area commander of the Rangers reached
the scene and conducted an inquiry into the incident.
On 20 July 1998, the SSP of Hyderabad suspended ASI Rind for beating the two
journalists and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
A delegation of senior journalists, led by the president of the Hyderabad
press club, met the SSP and said that suspension was not a punishment. They
demanded that action should be taken against the ASI.
For further information, contact Owais Aslam Ali at PPF, Press Centre,
Shahrah Kamal Ataturk, Karachi, Pakistan, tel: +92 21 263 3215, fax: +92 21
263 7754, e-mail: owais.ali@ibm.net.
