Arrests Made in Connection with Church Burnings in Pakistan: Over 100 People Detained

2023-08-18 04:04:00

Islamabad: More than 100 people have been arrested in connection with the burning of Christian churches in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The action was taken in the incident where 21 mosques were burnt and many houses were attacked.

A mob attacked several mosques and houses of Christians in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad district on Wednesday following two Christians were accused of tearing the Quran. The Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, Sherunwala Church etc. in Jaranwala were burnt.

The Punjab government said it has detained more than 100 people, including activists of the militant group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), for attacking Christian homes and mosques on charges of blasphemy.

‘Punjab Police has arrested more than 100 attackers in the violence once morest the mosques and houses of the minority community in Jaranwala. A case has been filed once morest 600 suspects on charges of terrorism and blasphemy.

Peace has been restored where violence took place. “A heavy police presence has been deployed outside the mosques and houses of the minority Christian community,” Punjab caretaker information minister Amir Mir said.

He said that the Chief Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter and strict action will be taken once morest the culprits.

Meanwhile, the district administration imposed a curfew for seven days in Jaranwala, banning all meetings except government-organized events. It is also reported that all educational institutions, markets and business establishments in Jaranwala will remain closed on Thursday.

Christian community leaders told news agency PTI that the attackers burned or destroyed 21 churches and burned hundreds of copies of the Bible. 35 houses of Christians, including a pastor’s residence, were destroyed.

But even if peace is restored in the area, Christians fear that the Islamists may attack once more, say community leaders.

More than 3,000 policemen and two companies of Pakistan Rangers have been deployed in Jaranwala following the riots on Wednesday.

Napoleon Qayyum of the Pak Center for Law and Justice said that since Shaukat Masih, a Christian, became the assistant commissioner of Jaranwala, some local Muslims have been in trouble.

They first moved to attack AC’s office on the grounds of blasphemy. He was saved by luck.

If Pakistani authorities had brought to justice those involved in attacks on Christians and their holy places, the Jaranwala incident might have been avoided,’ he said.

Bishop Azad Marshall of the Church of Pakistan also said that the Pakistani government has failed to provide security for places of worship of people who follow religions other than Islam.

PTI reports that most of the Christians have already left the area on Wednesday following the riots. Christian families who fled the conflict said that they will not be able to return to their homes until the government provides them with security and arrests those attacking houses and churches.

But following the riots on Wednesday, more than 3,000 policemen and two companies of Pakistan Rangers have been deployed in Jaranwala. Islamabad Police has formed a Minority Protection Unit comprising 70 policemen from minority communities and communities.

The United States expressed concern over the violence once morest mosques in Pakistan. Amnesty International also called on the authorities to ensure the protection of the minority Christian community.

content highlights: The incident of burning Christian churches in Pakistan; More than 100 people were arrested; Case once morest 600 people

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