KARACHI – The murder of a 14-year-old college student by an undercover cop in Pakistan’s largest city has sparked an outpouring of anger and grief online.
Thousands of social media users have rallied around the hashtag #JusticeForArsalan to call for action against the accused persons, and to discuss the problem of fake encounters in the country.
The incident happened in Orangi-5 area where Arsalan Mehsud was shot dead by police while his friend sustained bullet wounds.
DIG West Nasir Aftab took notice of the incident after killing of the youngster sparked a protest by relatives and community members. The top police officer also held talks with the protesters at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where the body of the victim was kept.
Police subsequently arrested the constable, identified as Tauheed, and his friend, Umair and registered a case against them under sections 34 (common intention), 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 302 (murder), 324 (attempted murder) and 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
According to the FIR registered on the complaint of Badshah Khan, the victims were returning to home from tuition at around 8:30 pm on Monday when Tauheed, who was on intelligence duty, opened fire on them, leaving Arsalan dead on the spot.
In initial interrogation, the accused told investigators that he thought Arsalan was taking out a pistol to fire upon him because of which he retaliated.
Here is how social media users reacted to the incident;
WE DEMAND #JusticeForArsalan MEHSUD….A father lost his innocent child to an alleged fake police encounter in Sindh province….who should be held answerable?? @BBhuttoZardari @sindhpolicedmc8
— . (@MrJunaidKhann) December 7, 2021
At a loss to understand the justice system where the criminals & murderers are proven to be innocent & the innocent are killed in the name of crime in a fake encounter. We need reforms before it’s too late. Which I think is shameful I hope this kid gets justice #JusticeForArsalan pic.twitter.com/kqiveMYSy1
— Mishi khan (@mishilicious) December 7, 2021
#اب_ہم_گھبرا_رہےہیں#JusticeForArsalan
پاکستان کے عوام دنیا میں سب سے زیادہ غیر محفوظ ہیں۔ جو اکثر محافظوں اور چوکیداروں کے ہاتھوں مارے جاتے ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/nwGCHsC1YC— Nadeem Gul khan (@Nadeemk52943852) December 7, 2021
Another father Haji Liaqat, with a Pakistani flag on his chest, stands in front of his son Arsalan's mutilated body, which has been given by the state's extra-judicial killings policy. In this hour of sorrow, his nation is with him. #JusticeForArsalanpic.twitter.com/25ss5dRMpW
— Alam Zaib Mahsud (@AlamZaibPK) December 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/eman_inaam/status/1468227682869694467
