Govt to implement strategy to curb mob attacks

Expressing serious concern over the lynching of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Diyawadanage in Sialkot last week, the civil and military leadership of the country resolved to implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent such incidents in the future, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Monday.

The killing of the Sri Lankan national came up during a meeting on the overall security situation, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The participants of the meeting emphasised that any individuals or the mobs could not be allowed to take the law into their hands.

The meeting was attended by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yousaf, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and other senior military and civil officials.

Last Friday, the nation was left shell-shocked and disgusted after the Sri Lankan national was brutally lynched and his body was set on fire by a mob in Sialkot. The gut-wrenching incident took place on Sialkot’s Wazirabad Road, where workers of private factories assaulted Priyantha.

Several gruesome video clips shared on social media showed a mob beating the victim, while chanting slogans against blasphemy. Other clips showed his body set ablaze, as well as the overturned wreckage of what was said to be his car.

Also read: Remains of Priyantha Kumar repatriated to Sri Lanka

The participants of the meeting on Monday expressed serious concern over the cruel act of killing of the Sri Lankan national and expressed the resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. The participants agreed that such incidents could not be tolerated.

“Therefore, a comprehensive strategy shall be implemented to curb such incidents and strict punishments to all the perpetrators shall be ensured,” read a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office after the meeting.

The participants also praised the bravery and courage of Malik Adnan, who endangered his own life to protect the foreigner from the violent mob. They also conveyed their deepest condolences to the family of the late Priyantha Diyawadanage, the statement added.

Also read: Remains of Priyantha Kumar repatriated to Sri Lanka

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