BAJAUR: Students of Government Postgraduate College, Khar, on Wednesday staged a demonstration against the alleged torture of a pupil by a traffic police officer.

Scores of students blocked the main Bajaur-Mardan Road outside the college. They alleged that Sajjad Khan was beaten up by DSP Qabil Shah on Tuesday while he was going to college in a public transport vehicle.

The demonstrators alleged that after the assault, the DSP took Sajjad to the Khar police station, where he and other personnel subjected him to more torture. They claimed the student was tortured for raising voice againstthetrafficpolice`s`unfriendly` behaviour towards transporters.

The protesting students, also joined by political and social activists, condemned the incident.

The speakers observed that the `inhuman act` of the senior police official had damaged the force`s image among the local community, and called for suspension of the official.

Theprotesters,whoearlierpledged to continue the agitation until thepolice officer was suspended, agreed to end the road blockade after a joint team of the college management and police department met with them.

The team, including the collage`s principal Prof Anwar Shah and DSP Abdul Aziz, assured the protesting students of initiating a departmental inquiry into the matter. The demonstration, which lasted around two hours, disrupted traffic on the road.

Meanwhile, district police officer Waqas Rafique ordered an investigation into the incident, which drew widespread condemnation from students, political and social circles.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday evening, an inquiry committee comprising senior police officials with impeccable reputation has been tasked with submitting its report by Thursday (today).

Strict action would be taken against the accused official if he was found guilty, in line with the police department`s zero-tolerance policy against the misuse of authority, the statement quoted Mr Rafique as saying. Correspondent