An angry demonstrator burns furniture during a protest in the Badami Bagh area of Lahore March 9, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the violence could have been avoided.
"We would like to have a clear stance of (Punjab) provincial government on failure to provide protection to people," Chaudhry said during a Supreme Court hearing.
The advocate general Punjab submitted reports of the Joseph Colony attack and of Gojra riots. He said that the government accepts responsibility for the mob attack and is taking steps to prevent such attacks in the future.
The acting IG Punjab blamed the DIG operations for the incident.
However, the chief justice rejected a report submitted by the provincial government, saying: "nothing has been produced to establish causes of the incident in Joseph Colony... we need a specific reply".
"Similarly, no specific reply has been submitted in the report about conduct of police officers including the inspector general of Punjab police, city police chief and the local in-charge of police in the area."
A mob of more than 3,000 furious Muslims had rampaged through the Christian settlement of Joseph Colony in Lahore on Saturday, looting property and burning buildings after a Christian was accused of blasphemy.
Three days went by between the blasphemy claims, which often provoke a violent public response, and the carnage in Joseph Colony.
Police and locals said the blasphemy allegations stemmed from a drunken argument last Wednesday between a Christian sanitary worker and his Muslim friend, who accused the Christian of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) during the row.
Punjab was the scene of one of the worst outbreaks of anti-Christian violence in recent years when a mob burned 77 houses and killed at least seven people in the town of Gojra in 2009 after rumours that a Koran had been desecrated.
No-one was killed in Saturday's violence but the CJP said lessons should have been learned from Gojra and a system put in place to protect Christians.
Police held 150 people over the Lahore incident and 21 have been sent on judicial remand on charges of riot and arson.
In its short order of the suo motu case, the court maintained that the suspension of the SHO and DPO was not enough and further negligence will not be tolerated in the case.
Read the full report on the Gojra riots here.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Umer: Then simply don't vote them.
'' I Will not tolrate even this time ''. Is the resolution of many peace lovers residing in the region . No need of such orders only action will speak now .
@Umair: If PMLN can’t keep peace in Lahore and their MNA/MPAs are inciting people to riot along with SSP then what hope there is for the country if they come in power in the centre?
@Waseem Sarwar:
Administrative issue?
They are doing their best for the victims, and if you are saying they should have smell this incident a day before or week then i guess this world could have been a most peaceful place.
It was Police which didn't play its role and they have been questioned. Simple!
Any comment from Chaudhary court on the lines 'Punjab government has failed' or is it only reserved for other provinces?
As expected Chaudhary court has saved the Punjab Government, PMLN and its leadership, and SSP and its leadership from all blame. All the above were involved in the Badami Bagh inicident with plenty of evidence against them.
@Riaz: you nailed it bro.
@Umair: bro, Abbass town incident was a terrorist attack but in Lahore, a planned mob attacked a locality in the presence of police. Karachi incident was a security faliure but in Lahore, it was an administartive issue. btw i am not saying that Sindh's CM should not have been blamed, but CM Punjab doesn't deserve special treatment either. Law should be equal for all but in our land of pure........... :(
Could the government please outline these steps.
Perhaps we should build special prisons for people who think they have a birth-right to hold these important posts till they retire. Some form of "REAL" punishment is necessary.
Who was responsible to "prevent" this act, Punjab Government by acting in 258 page report of Gojra incident or IG or CCPO punjab ?? Is it a favor to "respond"on such catastrophies or a responsibility? First you let people play havoc with minorities , let theirs assets be burned n then you shower Tax payers money as compensation to get those zindabad shabaz shareef slogan n thus votes. Easy way out ? It must have been a bigger challenge to come out loud n clear on the ill used legislation n condemn the religious extremist who are your ally, let alone taking action against them. Sorry SC, you have repeatedly shown your partiality towards N league! Van i ask why Hudaibia paper mill reserved decision is not out even its been 5 months that the decision was reserved ?? PPP n Sindh govt incapability and insensitivity is even more condemnable but they are no yard stick to measue of how govts should act. Not at least for an institution like SC!!
Send this IG behind bar that will serve purpose to prevent such atrocities in future.. It is insanity that police urge them for withdrawal homes and let mob to loot and rest of put on fire. In which country police allows mob to plunder and fired homes???
IG is responsible, even if he attending a training course abroad. Wonderful?
@Waseem Sarwar:
It depends how a government responds to such incidents, and if you listen to those victims they are all like " Zindabad Shahbaz Shareef" because they were rescued on time and getting best possible treatment.
No one was attending any of the famous engagement ceramony :P
Quite right.
so if such incident had happened in Karachi, Honorable court would have blamed whole SIndh government but for obvious reasons, no one wants to blame CM of Punjab.
Bulls eye. Top beaureucracy is always immune of any punitive action. This action will change the whole scenario now that the top bosses have been nominated.