LAHORE: Police in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Sunday filed charges against more than 450 people for attacks on members of the minority Christian community and police personnel over the alleged desecration of religious books, arresting 25 of them on terrorism and other charges.
An angry mob led by activists of the radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) attacked members of the Christian community in Mujahid Colony in Punjab’s Sargodha district, about 200 km from Lahore, on Saturday, injuring two Christians and 10 policemen. The mob burned and looted Christian homes and properties.
According to the FIR, over 450 people, 50 of whom were named, surrounded the residence and shoe factory of Nazir Masih (an elderly Christian), accusing him of desecrating religious books.
The mob set fire to a shoe factory, some shops and a few houses. “The mob also brutally torched Masih but timely arrival of a heavy police contingent saved the lives of Masih and 10 other Christians,” the FIR said.
Although Masih’s family denied desecrating the religious book, the mob tried to lynch him.
“When police tried to quell the rioters with batons, the enraged mob hurled stones at the police. At least 10 people, including a police officer, were injured,” the report said.
A police statement said: “No one was killed in the mob attack. More than 10 policemen and personnel were injured due to stone pelting by angry people. Police risked their lives to rescue the family members and dragged them out of the crowd. Due to the timely action of the police, Sargodha was averted from a major tragedy.”
“The situation in the city is completely peaceful and under control,” the statement said.
Police added that the injured Nazir, a Christian, had been shifted to the Joint Military Hospital in Sargodha for treatment. Police said Nazir would be prosecuted if found guilty of desecrating religious books.
The Punjab Police said that over 2,000 police personnel have now been deployed in Sargodha Mujahid Colony to maintain law and order.
On Saturday, numerous video clips circulated on social media showing mobs storming Christian community buildings.
Ifran Gil Masih, a relative of Nazir Masih, said: PTI His uncle returned from Dubai after four years away.
He said some local people falsely accused him of blaspheming the Bible. Christian families saved their lives by staying inside their homes when a mob marched on them. He said the atmosphere in the area was tense and Christians were scared.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious concern over the unfolding incident in Sargodha, where Christians from Girwala village are reportedly at risk of losing their lives in a mob attack.
Last year, at least 24 churches and more than 80 Christian homes were burned down by mobs in the Jaranwala area of Faisalabad province, about 130 kilometres from the provincial capital, enraged by reports that two Christians had desecrated the Quran.
Published May 26, 2024 15:57 IST
