ISLAMABAD: A “Police Post” operating illegally in the area of Maira Badia of Raman police stations since long has turned into a private torture cell. Sources said that the “Police Post” was set up in the name of the Police Community Centre (PCC) in Maira Badia a few years back and it has now allegedly been turned into a police torture cell. The citizens are detained with the help of touts in this post and they are subjected to torture and later they are set free after extorting a great deal of money from them. Police sources said Sub Inspector Haji Shabbir was presently working “as in charge” of this post. Some other police personnel connect the accused involved in under investigation cases in this torture cell and police call both the parties and hold a “jirga” (friendly meeting) therein. Later in the name of reconciliation a jumbo deal is struck which in the simplest word can be dubbed as an amnesty scheme for criminals. When contacted DSP Ghulam Muhammad Baqir told Daily Times, that the police staff from Police Stations Ramna and Shalimar which run under his control but he was not deputed as the in charge of the Maira Badia Police Posts and presently there are no policemen posted there. According to details, this post was earlier before operating under the control of Ramna Police. He said that he would personally investigate the matter of illegal interrogation being conducted at this Police Post. Sources said that Police Station Ramna encompasses the areas of Maira Badia,Maira Jaffer, Badia Rasmat Khan and Dhok Kashmirian. This police station has now turned into a haven for criminals. Police sources said that over 15 criminal cases took place during the first week of last month this year in the limits of Ramna Police Station. The police have not registered several cases so that their poor performance does not get exposed. The police have also failed to curb street crimes. The residents of these areas have appealed to the interior minister and the IG Islamabad to step up police patrolling within the limits of police station Ramna and appoint honest and efficient police officers at the place.