BHAWALNAGAR: A woman was abused and harassed in public for allegedly stealing a tea packet from the market.
The grueling incident took place at the Haroonabad Market in Bahawalnagar where the gypsy woman was tied with a dupatta and dragged through the streets over a minor theft. The woman was taken to the police station barefoot in the absence of any lady police constable.
According to the police, the woman was accused of stealing a tea packet. The police said that the matter is being investigated and action will be taken in accordance with the law.
A video of the incident was shared on social in which users urged authorities to take notice of the incident and the abuse over the petty theft.
In the video, a man who was dragging the woman is asked over the matter and replies that she stole 4-5 packets of tea. He is told to resolve the dispute but he disagrees and continues abusing her.
Bahawalnagar police said the incident took place on Saturday. ASI Kausar Ali Haroonabad Police Station said they were still unaware of the details of the abuse of women by shopkeepers.
He said police received a complaint and reach the spot. He said three women and two girls belonging to a nomadic community have been charged with tea leaves theft.
He said no violence was reported against them in our presence but they are unaware if it occurred before. He said police will review the situation and take further action.
Later Punjab Police announced that six accused have been arrested in Bahawalpur for mistreatment and harassment of women.
In a statement on Twitter, Police said Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz had taken notice of the incident and ordered to arrest the culprits immediately. Punjab Police said it has a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment against women.
بہاولنگر میں خواتین کے ساتھ ناروا سلوک و ہراسگی کا معاملہ، پنجاب پولیس نے فوری ایکشن لیتے ہوئے 6 ملزمان گرفتار کرلیے۔وزیر اعلی پنجاب, آئی جی پنجاب نے واقعے کا نوٹس لیتے ہوئے ملزمان کی فوری گرفتاری کی ہدایت کی تھی۔خواتین پر تشدد اور ہراسمنٹ پر پنجاب پولیس کی زیرو ٹالرینس پالیسی ہے https://t.co/XF2RRoowrC pic.twitter.com/usCLrl5aPP
— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) May 28, 2022
