Jakarta –
Police in Pakistan said that as many as 87 houses of Christian residents and 19 churches were damaged in the riots alleged to be blasphemy in Pakistan. Police said a Muslim mob rampaged through the streets and ransacked neighborhoods in the city of Jaranwala, Punjab province.
Reported by AFP, Friday (18/8/2023), hundreds of Pakistan’s Christian minority group reportedly fled their homes when a crowd of angry Muslim men ransacked a neighborhood in Jaranwala City. They also burned houses and churches.
“What happened is tragic. Violence like this can never be justified,” Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar told AFP.
Anwar said he personally interrogated two Christian brothers accused of desecrating the Koran. This, he said, was to avoid accusations of torture.
“(The examination) is to avoid accusations of torture,” he said.
Police say they have arrested 128 people linked to the rampage. Police said the rampage resulted in 87 houses being damaged in the Christian neighborhood and items strewn on the streets.
Hundreds of angry masses were ordered by Muslim clerics to protest against religious blasphemy. Appeals were sounded over the mosque’s loudspeakers to spread the word about the accusations.
Meanwhile, Muslims who live in Christian-majority areas provide protection to their neighbors and pin verses from the Koran on the doors of Christians’ homes to prevent them from being targeted. This was revealed by residents of both religions to AFP.
Anwar said that as of Friday, 3,200 churches were guarded by police across Punjab province to provide assurance to the Christian community. Anwar added that he would travel to Jaranwala on Sunday to show solidarity with the Christian community.
Accusations of Religious Blasphemy
The riots were sparked by allegations of blasphemy. Two Christians are reported to have desecrated the Muslim holy book, the Koran.
Reported by the BBC, Friday (18/8/2023), riots occurred in Jaranwala, eastern Punjab Province. Reported by Reuters, the police said that there was a book of the Koran which was scribbled on with red ink with hatred in it. The police are dealing with this incident. However, the anger of the residents was ignited.
The police stated that the parties accused of being the perpetrators were brothers. Perpetrators of blasphemy are punishable by death in Pakistan although this is rare. However, in recent times, dozens of people have been judged by the mob to death after being accused of blasphemy.
The chief minister of Punjab province, Mohsin Naqvi, said late on Thursday that the “main suspect” had been arrested, without providing further details.
(lire/dnu)
2023-08-18 18:10:43
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