Ashura bombing: Compensation demanded for victims

PESHAWAR: Residents of Imamia Colony have demanded payment of compensation to the family of the minor killed and other people injured in the grenade attack on an Ashura procession.

The demand was made by Haji Mumtaz Awan, a resident of the Imamia Colony while addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday.

The grenade attack on the procession at Abresham Garan resulted in the death of a minor identified as Qamar Ali and left 32 other injured, including women and children.

He expressed concern over the poor security arrangements during Muharram and deplored that despite several meetings with members of Shiite committee to maintain peace and thwart untoward incident. Haji Mumtaz Awan demanded an investigation into the incident and exemplary punishment to those involved.

All injured should be given medical treatment on government expense, he added. He called for implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act and special compensation for heirs to Qamar Ali and the 32 injured.

He said that there was no sectarian issue, but terrorism has engulfed the entire country and stressed the need of purge the menace of through collective efforts and practical measures.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2011.