25 arrested, over 450 charged with terrorism after mob attack on Christians in Pakistan – Republic World

New Delhi: Over 450 people were brought to court and 25 arrested in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Sunday after a mob attacked members of the Christian community for allegedly desecrating the Quran, PTI reported. It may be recalled that on Saturday, a mob led by activists of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan attacked members of the Christian community in Sargodha district of Punjab province. In the ensuing violence, two Christians and 10 policemen were injured. The mob also burned and looted the properties of the minority.

As for the reasons, a Dawn report said some residents of Mujahid Colony, where the incident took place, found burnt pages near the house of Nazir Masah, a Christian factory owner who was later accused of desecration.

According to the FIR mentioned in the PTI report, over 450 people subsequently attacked Masah’s house and shoe factory, with the violence later spreading to other houses and properties nearby.

The angry crowd reportedly wanted to lynch the elderly Masah, but a police statement said: “The police risked their lives to save the families and pulled them out of the crowd.”

More than ten officers were injured in the operation. The mob reportedly pelted police officers with stones while batons were used to disperse the crowd.

More than 2,000 officers are now deployed in the area to ensure peace and order.

As for those involved in the riots, Dawn quoted from the FIR and said that the suspects have been booked under Sections 324 (attempt to murder), 186 (obstructing public officer in discharge of duty), 353 (assaulting a public officer in discharge of his duty), 436 (causing damage to property by fire or explosive with intent to destroy a house), 440 (causing damage to property by fire or explosive with intent to cause death or hurt) and 149 (any member of an unlawful assembly guilty of an offence committed in prosecution of a common object) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

In addition, sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 were also invoked in this case.