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Gojra still tense as Rangers patrol town

* Over 800, including Toba Tek Singh DPO and DCO, booked on charges of murder, attempted murder and terrorism
* Christians protest in Gojra, demand attackers’ arrest

By Ali Usman

LAHORE: Gojra remained tense amid protests by Christians on Sunday – a day after riots killed seven people – as Rangers patrolled the city, with police claiming the registration of a first information report (FIR) against 816 people, including the Toba Tek Singh district coordination officer (DCO) and the district police officer (DPO), on charges of murder, attempted murder and terrorism.

Seven Christians – including three women and a child – were burnt alive on Saturday when a mob attacked Christian Town in protest at alleged blasphemy committed by Talib Masih. Nineteen people, including a DSP and a TMO, were also injured.

Locals told Daily Times that the situation remained “quite tense” on Sunday amid reports of a mob attack on a church in Khaga village, some six kilometres from Korian, the village where the main accused lived. However, the local administration did not confirm the reports.

Police also claimed the arrest of 100 people, and set up pickets at “sensitive spots” in the city.

Notwithstanding the patrols, Christians continued protests against the killing of seven of their community members, blocking the main railway track.

Napoleon Qayyum, a Christian rights activist, said his community was not ready to negotiate anything less than the registration of an FIR against the DPO, the DCO and the tehsildar. He said locals wanted the chief minister to visit the area and order an inquiry against those behind the riots.

Fenias Masih, a local minority councillor, said that situation in the area was “quite bad” and people were “terrified”. He said the 47 houses that were burnt in Korian on July 30 had gone into background after the Gojra riots. He said the Christians in Korian had fled the village out of fear and were not in contact with anybody.

Sohail Johnson, another rights activist, said, “The Christian youth is really angry ... the government needs to take solid steps to control the situation.” Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said a judicial inquiry would be held into the matter. He said an FIR had been registered and those responsible for the chaos would be brought to justice. He said police have arrested over 100 people.

According to a private TV channel, an extremist from a banned organisation – identified as Abdul Khalid – has also been arrested.

Punjab Minorities Minister Kamran Michael told Daily Times that he would recommend action against DPO Inkisar Khan for failing to control the situation.

Also, the Lahore High Court appointed a district and sessions judge from Faisalabad as inquiry officer to look into the matter.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced Rs 0.5 million as compensation for the families of those who died in the riots. The president has directed Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti to remain in Gojra until the situation returns to normal.

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