Retribution?: Political rivalry goes too far
PML-Q supporters attack Hindu leader for backing PML-N candidate in May 11 polls.
Pakistani political party activists clash near a womens polling station after an incident during voting for the general election. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
MULTAN:
Supporters of Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) reportedly attacked a Hindu leader for pledging support to Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) in Bahawalpur.
Hindu leader Rana Raam and ‘a thousand more voters’ from 112-DNB, a village in Bahawalpur district, announced their all-out support for PML-N candidate Saud Majeed in the May 11 elections.
On Thursday, supporters of PML-Q leader Bisharat Cheema, who beat the PML-N’s Majeed in the polls, allegedly ransacked Raam’s house.
The Hindu leader also claims he was receiving death threats and was being pressurized into supporting Cheema.
“It was their way of celebrating,” Raam told The Express Tribune. As a minority we cannot speak against them, he added.
“I had informed the police that I was being threatened but to no avail,” said Raam.
Hindus in the area protested the attack on their leader. Police have lodged a First Inquiry Report in Head Raajgan police station, under section 452, 148 and 149 against six nominated and 10 unidentified assailants, according to Assistant Sub-Inspector Ghulam Hussain.
Station House Officer Noor Muhammad, however, denied the occurrence of the incident altogether, saying: “we are carrying out investigations on merit. If there is proof that the incident took place then sections will be added to the FIR.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2013.
Supporters of Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) reportedly attacked a Hindu leader for pledging support to Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) in Bahawalpur.
Hindu leader Rana Raam and ‘a thousand more voters’ from 112-DNB, a village in Bahawalpur district, announced their all-out support for PML-N candidate Saud Majeed in the May 11 elections.
On Thursday, supporters of PML-Q leader Bisharat Cheema, who beat the PML-N’s Majeed in the polls, allegedly ransacked Raam’s house.
The Hindu leader also claims he was receiving death threats and was being pressurized into supporting Cheema.
“It was their way of celebrating,” Raam told The Express Tribune. As a minority we cannot speak against them, he added.
“I had informed the police that I was being threatened but to no avail,” said Raam.
Hindus in the area protested the attack on their leader. Police have lodged a First Inquiry Report in Head Raajgan police station, under section 452, 148 and 149 against six nominated and 10 unidentified assailants, according to Assistant Sub-Inspector Ghulam Hussain.
Station House Officer Noor Muhammad, however, denied the occurrence of the incident altogether, saying: “we are carrying out investigations on merit. If there is proof that the incident took place then sections will be added to the FIR.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2013.