Christian youth killed amid row in LDA Quarters

Uncle of deceased says hundreds of people hurling abuses gathered in his street

LAHORE:

A 25-year-old Christian youth was killed reportedly over a conflict between two communities over the construction of a wall in a neighbourhood in the Factory Area on Monday.

The deceased, who was fatally bludgeoned with an iron rod, had seven sisters and his brother had also been injured during a clash between the two groups a day earlier.

An FIR of the violent incident had been registered.

However, the police could not follow up the issue adequately despite its sensitivity.

Read: Minorities equal citizens of Pakistan, state's job to protect them: COAS

The deceased Pervaiz Maseeh’s uncle Akhtar Bhatti alleged that a group of around 200 people led by one Sohni and others had gathered in a street near his house in the LDA Quarters area while hurling abuses. Bhatti said his nephew confronted the mob, annoying the suspects.

He alleged that some of the people who had gathered at the spot were carrying firearms and they resorted to firing into the air.

Some of them captured Pervaiz and one hit him on his head with an iron rod. The blow left the victim dead within minutes.

As the news of the death spread in the locality, members of the victim’s community also rushed to the spot.

Sensing the rising tension between both groups, a heavy contingent of police led by Cantonment area SP Essa Sukhera reached the spot and strived to maintain order.

The police also collected forensic evidence from the crime scene.

Bhatti said the suspects had also tortured Sohal Pervaiz, the brother of the victim, a day earlier.

The police said they had arrested one person in connection with the incident and registered a murder case. An investigation into the matter was under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2022.