No ‘expansion’ planned in Hindu temple reconstruction

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has informed the Supreme Court that 119 people, including prime accused Maulvi Mohammad Sharif, Maulvi Faizullah and political/religious clerics, are arrested in a case related to desecration of a Hindu shrine/temple in Karak district by a mob in December last year.

Complying with the top court order, the provincial government submitted a report over the incident in the Supreme Court.

The report clarified that no expansion of the premises is included as any change in the status/area will lead to public resentment that could lead to law and order situation.

The report says all accused were interrogated by a police team led by the Karak SP. During the investigation, articles taken from Samadhi such as generator, gates, stair T Iron, etc., were recovered from the accused. All the accused are remanded to judicial lock up, adds the report.

Regarding the disciplinary action against police officials, report further says that 12 police officials, including an SHO concerned, were dismissed from service while minor punishment was awarded to 61 police officials.

The report claims that with all these arrests and award of punishment, the local population is now living peacefully. “Security has also been beefed up around the area, with round 100 police officials are deployed to perform duty in two shifts.”

Regarding reconstruction of the Hindu temple, the report says that the K-P chief minister constituted a committee under the chairmanship of C&W Department secretary to assess damages and develop a plan for the restoration of Samadhi.

The chief minister approved the summary of Rs34.829 million for the restoration of Samadhi.

About the implementation of Para 37 of the Supreme Court 2014 judgment on the minorities rights, the report states that hate speech which was highlighted by the Shoaib Suddle commission has been removed.

Likewise a committee has also been constituted in the Directorate of Curriculum and Teacher Education (DCTE) that includes members from the minority community to review existing curriculum, text books and other learning material.

The report stated that though it is the duty of federal departments to discourage hate speech on the social media, 55 cases are registered under Section 11 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 in the province.

It is also stated that 300 officials are deployed for the security of 47 churches, 13 gurdwaras, 12 minorities in the province. Likewise, 97 persons have been recruited as SPOs from the Kalash community in Chitral.

The report also highlighted the incidents wherein FIRs were registered against those who were involved in crime against minority worship/places and individuals.

The court will take up the matter on Monday.