Pfp Demands Action Against Culprits Involved

PFP flays attack on Christian villagers in Pakistani border village LAHORE (PR) Saturday, 04 July, 2009: Human rights group Press For Peace (PFP) has condemned the shameful incident of attack on Christian village in Kasur District by a fanatic group of people in which innocent women and children were injured and dozens of houses were damaged. Media Director (PFP), Sarfraz Ali Saturday demanded the authorities concerned to register a case against the attackers. He also urged the government to compensate the victims who lost their valuables in the incident. He demanded of the government to arrest the clergy who used the mosque for his 'nefarious designs' and 'created' the environment of hate in an otherwise peaceful village. According to details, fifteen Christians were wounded and more than 35 houses damaged when a mob of annoyed Muslims, after accusing of blasphemy, attacked a population of Christian community in border village near Kasour district of Eastern Punjab province of Pakistan. Police said that the incident occurred in the village located on border between Indian and Pakistan after a trivial quarrel between a Christian tractor driver Sardar Masi, 38, and Muhammad Riaz, a Muslim bike rider who allegedly did not give way to the former. After the incident Muhammad Riaz contacted a local clergyman named as Qari Lateef who urged Muhammad Riaz to plot a blasphemy accusation against Sardar Masih and other Christians of his village named Bahmani Wala. Qari Lateef announced in the local mosque that all Muslims must get together against Christians of their neighbouring village. Following the speech of clergy a mob comprising several hundred Muslims, shouting on Christians attacked their houses. “The attackers set many houses of Christians on fire, looted their money and valuables, tortured Christian men and women of the village and fled away from the spot”, alleged Sohail Johnson a representative of local Christian organization. The police insist that no homes were set to fire and one buffalo was burnt in the assault. It said that the attackers tried to register a fake case of blasphemy against local Christians which was proved false in initial investigation. (Feedback: [email protected])