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TechnoratiA Muslim mob numbering about 600 attacked Christians in a Pakistani village near an India-Pakistan border Tuesday, “destroying several houses, looting valuables and injuring many” on blasphemy charge.
Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP) fact finding team said, the blasphemy charge was stemmed from a trivial quarrel between a Christian driver and a Muslim motor cycle rider which later led to the intervention of a local Muslim priest, who charged the driver and other Christians of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, Pakistan Christian Post reported.
The incident happened at Bahmani Wala village in District Kasur, Sardar Masih, 38, a tractor driver had asked way to Mohammed Riaz who is blocking the way with his motor-cycle, but the latter became angry and abused Masih as “low caste” how he dare asked him. A scuffle took place between both of them which, later, became reason of a critical incident.
Riaz contacted Qari Lateef, a local clergyman who is known for his infamous blasphemy cases in Kasur. Qari Lateef urged Muhammad Riaz to plot a blasphemy accusation against Sardar Masih and other Christians.
SLMP fact finding team found that the Muslic cleric Qari Lateef announced through loudspeaker accusing Christians of the village of committing blasphemy. He announced Christians have made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad therefore they are liable to death.
Riaz and others called hundred of Muslims from surrounding villages as well. The angry mob of Muslims, shouting on Christians attacked their houses and started destroying everything. They 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.
Bahmani is border village in Kasur district in India-Pakistan border. SLMP said, more then hundred Christian families are living in this village among perhaps 600 Muslim families peacefully for a long time until this incident happens.
SLMP team led by Mr. Sohail Johnson, Chief Coordinator and five other members visited the village and interviewed some Christians of the village who told Muslims attacked their houses in presence of local police but the policemen did nothing to secure Christians.
On the other hand some Muslim influential have registered a criminal case against 11 Christians on 29 June. Under Section 295 B of Pakistan’s Criminal Code, insulting Muhammad or Islam, or desecrating the Qur‘an, is punishable by life in prison or death.
Sohail Johnson has condemned the false accusation against Christians of Bahmani Wala and ruthless attack on them in his speech at District Police Officer’s office. He met with District Police Officer and District Coordination Officer and asked him to take appropriate action against the real culprits. He pointed out Qari Lateef who has played a wicked role to persecute innocent Christians.
On Thursday, two days after the attack, SLMP team who stayed behind the village said electricity and water supplies to the Christians homes are cut and they are in need of legal help.
Chief Coordinator Sohail Johnson of SLMP in his special message for media, said that this incident proved that Government is failed to protect Christians from murderous attacks in the name of religion.
“This incident has refreshed the memories of many other attacks on Christians like Shanty Nagar, Chiyanwali and Sangla Hill in which many Christian were gone in crises.”
He also said that this incident gave a sense of insecurity for Christians in Pakistan negligence of authorities who always posses to be liberal and sympathetic to Christians and other religious minority of Pakistan.
Mr. Sohail Johnson has urged international Christian community to help our brothers and sisters those who suffered persecution, as they have lost a lot for being Christian.
