Christian family beaten up by police: HRCP

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
By Shahid Husain

Karachi

Members of a Christian family living in Gali No. 10, Christian Colony, Ghaziabad, Orangi No. 11 1/2 were severely beaten allegedly on the orders of station house officer (SHO) Pakistan Baazar police station after they were accused of committing blasphemy.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Lawrence, 60, a diabetic patient was accused of urinating on the roof of his neighbour’s house between September 9-10 night at about 1.30am. He was accused of blasphemy since some religious material was said to be lying on the roof top.

“There was a hue and cry and local clerics gathered and attacked Lawrence’s house and destroyed household goods,” HRCP official Abdul Hayee told The News on Tuesday. “An HRCP team is investigating this case,” he said.

“The miscreants also contacted the local police that raided Lawrence’s house but could not find him. Police arrested his elder brother George Jan and son Shakeel and beat them severely,” Hayee said.

George and Shakeel were detained at the police station for two days despite the fact that First Information Report (FIR) was not registered against them and they were severely beaten, Hayee informed The News.

SHO Pakistan Bazaar police station, when contacted by The News regarding the incident, started abusing instead of answering the question.

Yousuf Ashiq, In Charge Minorities Wing of Muthahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) told The News that there were no witnesses who could verify if Lawrence urinated at his neighbour’s roof. “On the instigation of Noomi, a local, some 250-300 people gathered and attacked the houses of Lawrence and another Christian Lazar. Immediately after the incident, MQM MPA Syed Manzar Imam and Town Nazim Abdul Haq arrived at the scene and tried to diffuse the tension,” Ashiq said.

“The person who accused Lawrence of urinating on his roof lives in a rented house and arrived in the area some four months ago,” Ashiq said.

“Although there is no eye witness of the incident the Christian family has decided to pay compensation in accordance with Islamic laws and an announcement has been made in this regard at the local mosque,” Ashiq said.