Protests in Kasur after remains of children who were raped before being killed found

The rape and murder of three minor children in Kasur has sparked protests across the city, according to reports. Protesters have shut down shops and transport in some areas. 

The trade association of the city and the local bar association had called for a strike after the dead bodies of the three children were discovered by authorities yesterday. 

Nine people have been arrested in relation to the case, the district police officer told the media on Wednesday. DNA tests of the suspects were done and results will be handed over to the Joint Investigation Team within three days.

The protesters have targeted a police station and pelted it with stones as anger over the incident spills over into different parts of the Chunian locality. 

The protesters are demanding that the police arrest the culprits behind the incident and have blocked roads leading to the police station by setting tyres on fire. 

Yesterday, the remains of at least three of the four children who went missing from Kasur over the past 75 days were found, police said, confirming that all three were brutally raped before being buried underground.

Kasur police said the body of one of the four missing children was recovered, while only the remains of the other two were found. The remains were decided to be sent for DNA testing.

According to the police, 12-year-old Imran of Rana Town had gone missing on June 1, eight-year-old Ali Hasnain and nine-year-old Salman in August, and eight-year-old Faizan on September 16. 

Only Faizan's complete body was recovered, whereas the bones of the remaining two were recovered from sand dunes in the Chunian Industrial Area.

Although only Faizan was identified since his complete body was recovered, the identities of the other two children would be confirmed once the results of the DNA test would be made available.

As of reporting time, 12-year-old Imran of Rana Town was still missing.

Punjab government springs into action

In a statement, the inspector-general of police (IGP) for Punjab, Arif Nawaz Khan, said there seemed to be similarities in the incidents of child abduction and murder. 

A special team — led by the superintendent of police (SP) for investigation in Kasur, Quddus Baig — was dispatched in this regard and the IGP has directed them to present an initial report in six hours.

Further, forensic teams have collected samples and evidence from the various crime sites. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the incident and summoned a report in this regard.

Following which, a JIT was formed to investigate the matter.