Authorities in Pakistan have arrested 135 people in connection with the unprecedented mob attack on 21 churches in the country’s Punjab province over blasphemy allegations. On Thursday, the government ordered a high-level probe into the riots and promised to “restore” all the damaged churches and homes of people belonging to the minority Christian community, reported PTI. A spokesperson for Punjab Police said 135 miscreants have been arrested with some of them belonging to radical group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.
On Wednesday, an enraged mob ransacked and set ablaze 21 churches and several homes of Chrisitans over blasphemy allegations in Jaranwala town of Faisalabad district, 130 km from Punjab’s provincial capital Lahore. A Christian cemetery and the office of the local assistant commissioner were also vandalised.
“A case has been registered against 600 suspects under terrorism and blasphemy charges,” Punjab caretaker information minister Amir Mir said, as per the report.
In view of the situation, Section 144 has been imposed for seven days by the district administration, prohibiting all kinds of assembly, except for events organised by the government in Jaranwala.
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All educational institutions, markets and business establishments remained closed in Jaranwala on Thursday, the report added.
Following Wednesday’s riots, 3,000 policemen and two companies of Pakistan Rangers have been deployed in Jaranwala.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has issued an appeal for Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety of minority groups. The organisation highlighted the fact that such violent mob assaults exemplify the ongoing threat of vigilante violence that any individual can face in Pakistan after being accused of blasphemy.
Blasphemy carries the death penalty in Pakistan, and although no executions have occurred, numerous individuals accused of blasphemy have been lynched by outraged crowds. This includes the assassination of a former provincial governor and a minister for minorities based on blasphemy accusations.
