At least 10 people, including the leader of an unregistered mattressa, have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a child in the Khwazakhela area of SWAT in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while police continue to seek two more important suspects in the case, the Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Omar Khan confirmed on Wednesday.
During a news conference at the DPO office in Saidu Sharif, DPO Khan, accompanied by SP-Investry Bashir Hazrat Khan, detailed the terrible events that led to the discovery of the 12-year-old Farhan’s body. Express News reported.
On July 21, Farhan’s beaten body was brought to Khwazakhela Hospital. Police immediately launched an investigation after the child’s uncle, Sadr Ayaz, filed a report that led to the identification of Madrassa’s head, Qari Mohammad Omar and other suspects.
“A FIR was filed with the Murder and Child Protection Act against Madrassa’s head, his son and other suspects,” said DPO Khan, adding, “two of the defendants, Abdullah and Bakht Amin, have been arrested and we are pursuing the remaining suspects.”
The police investigation revealed signs of physical abuse on other children in Madrassa, which caused a further case to be filed against nine teachers, all of whom were arrested.
“About 160 children who have signed up for Madrassa have been handed over to their parents,” he said. Madrassa, which was found to operate illegally, has been sealed by the authorities. DPO Khan announced that a list of unregistered mattressas in the district is being prepared and strict actions will be taken against them.
In a related case in Gulkada, two men, Mohammad Rahman and Abdul Salam, were also arrested under the Child Protection Act for their commitment to abuse another child. “We will not tolerate cruelty or abuse against children, and those responsible will be brought to justice,” DPO Khan claimed.
Read more: Madrassa students killed in swat after ‘five hours of torture’ by teachers
A day earlier, a young student died tragically after being exposed to five hours of merciless physical abuse by his teachers in a mattress in the Khwazakhela area of SWAT in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The incident triggered widespread anger and sorrow in the region. Family members and local residents walked the streets of protest and blocked the main road in Khwazakhela Bazaar and demanded severe punishment for the teachers involved.
According to a fellow student, the victim was limited to a space of three teachers who changed turns torturing him for five hours. The abuse continued without interruption, where each teacher inflicted additional pain until the child ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
