LAHORE - Punjab Central Police Office (CPO) on Monday said that the investigations into the Model Town tragedy are hold up since Pakistan Awami Tehrik boycotted the probe, being conducted by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
Despite repeated contacts, the PAT and Minjahul Quran administration neither provided any evidence to the investigators nor appeared before them, a police spokesperson said on Monday in a two-page press statement.
A joint investigation team, constituted by the Punjab government and comprising honest and seasoned officers, is conducting the probe into the Model Town tragedy. The team is yet to complete its investigations.
“Investigations are underway and would continue until the accused persons are arrested. New evidences and witnesses could be included in the probe at any stage to complete the investigations as per law,” the police spokesperson said.
The Central Police Office also rejected the media reports stating that the investigations are completed and the JIT had sent its report to the quarters concerned.
As per initial findings of the report, at least 10 persons had been killed and 61 wounded, including 28 those hurt with fire arms, during clashes between the police and PAT workers outside Minjahul Quran secretariat in Lahore’s Faisal Town on June 17. Thirty policemen were also wounded during the clashes as the protesters pelted the cops with stones, it said.
“Nine police officials and officers are found guilty. Four cops are arrested while the others are at large,” according to the police statement.
Out of ten members of the JIT, only two members noted their observations with additional (dissenting) notes. “Their observations would be addressed as per law as JIT is seriously considering their observations at an appropriate level,” the statement said.
“So far, the JIT is unable to fix the responsibility because of lack of evidences and witnesses. Since the PAT boycotted the investigations, the probe is yet to be completed.”
Except the nine police officials, no one has been found (apparently) guilty in the tragic incident (so far) and the responsibility had also not been fixed. Investigations are underway and the report would be completed as per law to ensure justice at all costs, the police spokesperson added.