Swat mob justice victim was a ‘drug addict’

Mother says Sulaiman not in touch with family for 18 months

SWAT:

Sulaiman, who was lynched by an angry mob on charges of blasphemy in Madyan, a tourist spot in Swat, is said to be from Sialkot, Punjab.

He was staying at a local hotel in Madyan on the third day of Eidul Azha. According to police and family members, the slain accused was 36-year-old and a drug addict. His wife had left him and later filed for divorce due to his excessive violent nature and drug abuse. The deceased also spent some time overseas for employment. His mother said that Sulaiman was not in touch with the family for a year and a half. He also had a property dispute with his mother and brother. His mother had also registered a case of torture against him in 2022.

His mother said in a video message that the family disowned him and they are not responsible for his words and actions. “My husband died thirty years ago leaving me a widow and my children orphan. After returning from abroad, Sulaiman got married, but he kept fighting with us. His share of the property was given to him and the family relationship ended after that,” said Shaista Parveen in a video message widely circulated on social media.

On Thursday, the watchman of the hotel accused him of burning the pages of the Holy Quran at the hotel. The hotel management informed the police and the police arrested and shifted him to the police station for investigation. The news spread like wildfire and announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers due to which locals assembled in the form of a crowd and attacked the police station. They hurled stones and set fire to the police station building. Then, the mob entered the police station and took away the accused by force.

 The angry mob drubbed him severely and, according to some reports, set his body ablaze while he was still alive. Police looked helpless in the face of a large and unruly mob. The situation remained tense on the second day of the incident across Swat, especially in Madyan. Large crowds still freely roam the area while a heavy contingent of police force is deployed to keep the situation under control. Business centers remained closed across the district. It may be noted that Madyan is one of the famous tourist spots in Swat and nowadays the area has a large number of tourists due to the Eid holidays. Tourists said that the situation is very tense and they are afraid.

The area is practically controlled by the angry mob and they are not allowing any vehicle to enter. However, no tourists have been harmed. At this time Madyan Bazaar is completely closed, with only protesters occupying the roads.