BAHAWALPUR: Police have arrested a suspect responsible for stealing the hockey stick and a ball from the statue of legendary player Samiullah Khan in Bahawalpur.
District Police officer (DPO) Bahawalpur said they have arrested the suspect within 24 hours and he has expressed remorse for his action.
Police took the help of CCTV footage and other information which helped in arresting the suspect. He was identified as Noman, a resident of Lodhran district who was currently staying in Bahawalpur.
DPO Bahawalpur said that the suspect has confessed to his crime of stealing the hockey stick and a ball from the statue. He said Samiullah Khan is a hero of Pakistan and it is their duty to safeguard public property and monuments.
1/1بہاولپور: سابق اولمپئن سمیع اللہ خان کے مجسمے سے ہاکی و گیند چوری ہونے اورنازیبا حرکات کا معاملہ .ملزم نعمان 48 گھنٹے میںگرفتار۔سرکاری املاک/یادگاروں کی حفاظت ہمارا فرض ہے۔@OfficialDPRPP @InamGhani @kamran1957 @belalzafarPSP @KlasraRauf @AsadHashim @Haqeeqat_TV @MashwaniAzhar pic.twitter.com/yQMFCqx3vH
— Bahawalpur Police (@prodpobwp) July 20, 2021
The theft occurred less than two weeks after the statue of the legendary hockey player was installed at a crossing in Khan’s hometown to honour the left-winger popularly known as “Flying Horse”. A hockey stick and ball were re-installed on Monday after being stolen from the statue of Pakistan hockey legend Samiullah Khan in Bahawalpur.
Residents said the ball was stolen a few days after installation and then the hockey stick went missing over the weekend. A case of theft was registered at the Cantt police station while the statue was restored to its original condition.
Famous Pakistani hockey player Samiullah was hailed from Bahawalpur. He represented Pakistan in many international hockey tournaments including the 1976 Montreal Olympics till 1982. The Pakistani government awarded Samiullah the Presidential Medal for Excellence.
