After factory, mob torches Ahmadi place of worship in Jhelum over blasphemy allegations

Hundreds of people set facility ablaze after reports surfaced that employee had allegedly desecrated the Holy Quran

LAHORE: An Ahmadi place of worship was set ablaze  in Jhelum on Saturday, a day after an unbridled mob burnt down a factory owned by members of the Ahmadiyya community in the same area after one of its employees was accused of committing blasphemy.

According to reports, hundreds of people surrounded a chipboard factory and set the facility ablaze after reports surfaced that one employee had allegedly desecrated the Holy Quran.

Local clerics made provocative speeches against Ahmadis, causing the enraged mob to resort to violence.



Police officials claimed to have arrested a member of the Ahmadiyya community Friday night, after which he was put under judicial remand.

According to sources, an FIR was registered against the accused under blasphemy charges after locals of the area accused him of burning pages of the Holy Quran.



"About 80% of the factory, Pakistan Chipboard Factory, has been destroyed along with six residences in the factory," spokesperson of Jamat-e-Ahmadia Saleemudin told The Express Tribune. He added that all workers and residents were safe.

"Ahmadi families have fled the area to save their lives, leaving their houses at the mercy of the unbridled mob."

Further, the spokesperson added that the incident occurred in the presence of the police, which was unable to control the enraged mob.

Saleemudin further added that a wave of fear has gripped the community. "If the police does not take stern action against the perpetrators, there are chances of them burning down the houses of the Ahmadis too," he said, while pointing out that none of the attackers have been arrested so far.



Meanwhile, Mujahid Akbar Khan, District Police Officer Jehlum, told The Express Tribune, "Last night, the police used the most amount of force it has to control the mob." The DPO also said that the news of the place of worship being burnt down can only be confirmed once he reaches the sight where the place of worship is located.

The mob managed to set the factory on fire despite the presence of heavy contingents of police and Rangers being present at the site.

Heavy contingents of Police including the DPO reached the scene, firing rubber bullets to disperse the enraged mob.

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Police were unable to disperse the protesters despite using tear gas and Rangers had to be called in for support.

Jehlum Rangers have also been called in for further support. One person has been taken into custody. Conveyed to CCR.

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The police did, however, arrest three members of the community.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya spokesperson said three Ahmadis were arrested without reason. The spokesman added that he wasn’t sure as to whether those trapped inside the factory had been rescued.

Jhelum DPO Mujahid Akbar Khan was unavailable for comment despite several attempts to reach him.