We went to North Nazimabad police station on the 19th of January 2010. First we gave our introduction to the SHO, that we were university students and told them our purpose of visit. Since random people can’t walk in and talk to the prisoners, therefore, we went there through strong source of DIG Sind who is my uncle and through his call we were able to interview the prisoners.
Since we were 4 girls and 1 boy without press cards, people were staring at us that what was our purpose to visit and the workers of the police station were gazing us in such a way as if they had never seen girls.
When we met the SHO and told him that we were from SZABIST University, he gave us a warm welcome. Perhaps this was because currently we are in the PPP regime and SZABIST is their institution. Before interviewing the prisoners and the police, we were offered water and were told that we were not supposed to physically or mentally abuse the prisoners and were not allowed to exchange any goods with them. We were also asked to fill the forms where we had to mention all our personal information, purpose of visit and were required to attach our NIC copies with the form.
After all the formalities, we were allowed to interview the prisoners with a guard for inspection. We saw total 6 prisoners and 3 prisons. They all were in light brown pantaloon and a shirt with a badge written 3 digits on it which was the identification given to each prisoner.
Out of 6 we chose 1 prisoner to interview; who looked least scary amongst all. He was Shakoor Qureshi, prisoner no. 502. We girls gave all the questions to our male peer to ask because we all were hesitating from direct contact with the prisoner.
When we interviewed him we got to know that prisoner no. 502 was in prison due to the involvement in her sister’s case under section 13D. He was imprisoned for an attempt to murder and carrying weapons without possessing arms and ambulation license. He was charged because according to him his younger sister was daily harassed by the govt. college head clerk. Despite of the warning given by the girl about her brother and his connections with MQM, the harasser continued to harass her. When this entire scenario came in Shakoor’s Qureshi knowledge; he attempted to murder the harasser with MQM’S support.
When inquired that why did he take law in his hand and did not take the support of the local police he replied, “Local police work for money and are less strong and cooperative than the MQM. “ he also said, “ she was my sister. It’s my right and my wish the way I wanted to deal that man. Judiciary can’t see this case with justice the way a brother can see. “
Shakoor emotionally conveyed his story and his concern towards his sister’s security was lucidly seen. Then we interviewed the police men regarding Shakoor’s case. They said that he is not in charge of taking law in his hands. One of the police man said, “Police job is respectable. Such people and their thoughts ruin our repo. He should have given a chance to the police men that they are there to safeguard women and don’t work for money. “When we inquired that what can be his possible punishment for attempt to murder, he said, “He will be sent to the court. Let’s see what the verdict is. “
After fulfilling the purpose of our visit, we all thanked them and left the police station as soon it was possible. And in order to make our filed survey authentic; we also did audio recording of the interviews conducted from the police men and the prisoner.
interesting!
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