25 arrests, over 450 summons issued after mob attack on Christians in Pakistan’s Punjab province

LAHORE: Police in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Sunday detained over 450 people and arrested 25 of them on terrorism and other charges for attacking members of the Christian minority and police officials for allegedly desecrating a religious book. An angry mob led by radical Islamist activists of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Saturday attacked the members of the Christian community in Mujahid Colony in Sargodha district of Punjab, about 200 km from Lahore, injuring two Christians and 10 policemen. The mob burnt and looted the houses and properties of Christians.

According to the FIR, over 450 people, 50 of whom were nominated, surrounded the residence and shoe factory of Nazir Masih (an elderly Christian) and accused him of desecrating the religious book.

The mob set fire to the shoe factory, some shops and a few houses. “They also brutally set Masih on fire, but the timely arrival of a large police force saved the lives of Masih and ten other members of the Christian community,” the FIR states.

Although Masih’s family denied desecrating the religious book, the mob wanted to lynch him.

“The angry mob pelted stones at police officers as they resorted to batons to disperse them. At least ten police officers, including officers, were injured,” it said.

A police statement said: “No one was killed in the mob attack. More than ten policemen and staff were injured when the angry people threw stones at them. The police risked their lives to rescue the families and pulled them out of the crowd. Thanks to the timely intervention of the police, Sargodha was spared a major tragedy.”

“The situation in the city is completely peaceful and under control,” it said.

It added that the injured Christian Nazir was taken to the military hospital in Sargodha for treatment. Police said that charges would be filed against Nazir if he is found guilty of desecrating the religious book.

Punjab Police said that over 2,000 policemen are currently deployed in Sargodha Mujahid Colony to maintain law and order.

On Saturday, numerous video clips of mob attacks on Christian community property circulated on social media.

Ifran Gill Masih, a relative of Nazir Masih, told PTI that his uncle had returned from Dubai after four years.

He said some people in the area had falsely accused him of desecrating the holy book. He said the Christian families saved their lives by locking themselves in their homes as the mob marched towards them. He said the mood in the area was tense and the Christians were scared.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed deep concern over developments in Sargodha, where the Christian community in Gillwala village is reportedly in grave danger of death from violent mobs.

Last year, at least 24 churches and over 80 Christian homes were burned down by an angry mob in Tehsil Jaranwala in Faisalabad district, about 130 kilometers from the provincial capital, because of reports that two Christians had desecrated the Koran.