Post date: Mar 09, 2013 6:2:19 PM
A mob of hundreds attacks and torches a Christian neighbourhood in Lahore after rumours spread that a Christian man has committed blasphemy.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN (MARCH 9, 2013) (REUTERS) - A mob attacked a Christian neighbourhood and set fire to Christian homes in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore on Saturday (March 9) after reports that a Christian man had committed blasphemy against Islam's prophet.
Television footage showed houses and vehicles on fire and smoke billowing out of the ruins of several houses. Members of the mob stood watching on the streets.Witnesses said the trouble began on Friday (March 8) when a young Muslim man accused a Christian man of committing blasphemy - a serious criminal offence inPakistan that can carry the death penalty. They said about 50 homes were torched
Police have arrested 26 year-old Savan Masih on charges of blasphemy.
Local police official Abdul Majid said the violence erupted when he refused to hand over the suspect.
"Last night, after arresting the man, I told everyone that I had arrested him and there was no need for any agitation. But one group insisted that I should hand him over to them. That group is responsible for all this," he said.
A man in the area said the alleged blasphemer should be executed.
"Yesterday, after drinking wine, this young man committed blasphemy against our prophet. Therefore members of our Iron Market are protesting so that the government should know it and execute him," Ahmed Khanzada said.
Jani Masih was one of the Christians whose house was torched. He started crying when he described how the mob attacked innocent people.
"It's a mistake on the part of one man, he deserves the punishment. Why is it our fault? What have we done? We could have been held responsible if we had done anything. This is cruel," he said.
Under Pakistan law, anyone who speaks ill of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad commits a crime and faces the death penalty.
Human rights groups say vague terminology has led to abuse and the law dangerously discriminates against religious minorities in majority-MuslimPakistan.
Convictions are common, although the death sentence has never been carried out. Most convictions are thrown out on appeal, but mobs have killed many people accused of blasphemy.