After factory, mob torches Ahmadi place of worship in Jhelum over blasphemy allegations
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.
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“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.
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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.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/995654/blasphemy-allegations-mob-torches-factory-in-Jhelum/
Aftermath of the factory fire. — Photo by author
The mob set the factory on fire after rumours circulated that a worker had desecrated pages of the Holy Quran. —Photo by author
The mob set the factory on fire after rumours circulated that a worker had desecrated pages of the Holy Quran. —Photo by authorAftermath of the factory fire. — Photo by authorThe mob set the factory on fire after rumours circulated that a worker had desecrated pages of the Holy Quran. —Photo by authorJHELUM: An enraged mob set a Ahmadi place of worship on fire in Punjab’s Jhelum district on Saturday, following Friday night’s arson attack on a factory.
The place of worship was located in the Kala Gujran area of Jhelum, which was under guard of local police forces.
The mob managed to break through the police cordon which was established to safeguard the Ahmadi places of worship, following Friday night’s unrest.
-Photo by author.
Police had to resort to baton charging and tear gassing the protesters in order to bring the situation under control, but were unable to do so. The mob resorted to pelting stones at the police personnel.
The incidents were a result of rumours circulated earlier in Jhelum district which levelled blasphemy allegations on the owner and workers of the factory.
Army contingent called in
As tensions rose, a contingent of the Pakistan Army was called in to assist the local police forces.
After the arrival of the army contingent, the situation calmed down, with the mob chanting slogans in favour of the army.
-Photo by authorLieutenant Colonel Khurram of the Pakistan Army negotiated with the mob.
Factory set on fire
Earlier, an enraged mob set a factory on fire in Jhelum district late on Friday after rumours circulated in the area and announcements were made from mosques levelling blasphemy allegations on the factory owner and workers. No casualties were reported from the arson attack.
Hundreds of people surrounded the chipboard factory in Jhelum and set the facility ablaze after reports surfaced that one employee had allegedly desecrated the Holy Quran.
“The incident took place after we arrested the head of security at the factory, Qamar Ahmed Tahir, for complaints that he ordered burning of the copies of the Holy Quran,” Adnan Malik, a senior police official in the area, told AFP.
Mob members block GT Road. — Photo by author
According to police, another employee at the factory had reported that Tahir was overseeing the burning in the facility’s boiler and intervened to stop the act.
“We registered a blasphemy case against Tahir, who is Ahmadi by faith, and arrested him after confiscating the burnt material, which also included copies of the Holy Quran,” Malik said.
Four other men who were previously arrested on suspicion of blasphemy were reportedly released by the police, DawnNews reported.
After this, certain people in the area approached local mosques to make announcements through loudspeakers against the release following which people not only from the immediate vicinity but even from nearby villages gathered as a mob and set ablaze the chipboard factory.
The owner’s residence, adjoining the factory, was also set on fire.
The mob later moved to the Grand Trunk Road, blocked the route and chanted slogans against the police. Members of the mob also clashed with police personnel as the latter tried to disperse the crowd.
-Photo by author.
Police fired rubber bullets and fired tear gas shells at the mob, members of which resorted to aerial firing. Three men were reportedly injured in this unrest. However, there were few policemen on the scene who thereby failed to control the situation.
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