Mob attack on Christians: Police arrest 100 suspects
Police also file criminal case against hundreds of unidentified people.
Demonstrators burn furniture during a protest in the Badami Bagh area of Lahore March 9, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
The Lahore Police arrested around 100 suspected miscreants in connection to a mob attack on a Christian colony, Express News reported on Sunday.
An over 3,000-strong mob on March 9 set ablaze more than 150 houses of Christians in the Joseph Colony over alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian sanitation worker.
Sawan was arrested on March 8 when his Muslim friend, Shahid Imran, accused him [Sawan] of blasphemy, triggering an exodus of fearful Christians from the neighbourhood.
The police filed a criminal case against hundreds of unidentified people.
According to Operations DIG Rai Tahir, police teams have been raiding various places to make arrests, while video evidence is also being used during investigations.
The victims of the attack, alongside Christian non-governmental organisations, protested against the destruction of their neighbourhood today while District Coordination Officer (DCO) - with his team - surveyed the area to estimate losses incurred.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also visited the area today to meet those affected by the incident. He had earlier ordered an immediate inquiry into the arson attacks and restoration of destroyed houses in three days.
For speedy work, CM Shahbaz had also said that multiple builders should be hired.
The Lahore Police arrested around 100 suspected miscreants in connection to a mob attack on a Christian colony, Express News reported on Sunday.
An over 3,000-strong mob on March 9 set ablaze more than 150 houses of Christians in the Joseph Colony over alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian sanitation worker.
Sawan was arrested on March 8 when his Muslim friend, Shahid Imran, accused him [Sawan] of blasphemy, triggering an exodus of fearful Christians from the neighbourhood.
The police filed a criminal case against hundreds of unidentified people.
According to Operations DIG Rai Tahir, police teams have been raiding various places to make arrests, while video evidence is also being used during investigations.
The victims of the attack, alongside Christian non-governmental organisations, protested against the destruction of their neighbourhood today while District Coordination Officer (DCO) - with his team - surveyed the area to estimate losses incurred.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also visited the area today to meet those affected by the incident. He had earlier ordered an immediate inquiry into the arson attacks and restoration of destroyed houses in three days.
For speedy work, CM Shahbaz had also said that multiple builders should be hired.