BAHAWALPUR, Sept 24: The local Christian leaders threatened on Wednesday that they would launch a protest movement, if the remaining two nominated accused in the rape attempt case at Chak 55-DB, Yazman, were not arrested within a week.

Speaking at a press conference at St Dominican Church, Fr Rockus Pitras, Fr Rehmat Raja and Master Samuel said the police had failed to arrest even after a week the two absconders, who along with four other drunkards beat up the elders and humiliated three girls at Chak 55-DB on Sept 17.

They also alleged that the outlaws tried to rape the girls belonging to the minority families, but were made to flee by the locals. They left the locality, threatening the girls with dire consequences.

The Christian leaders alleged that lumberdar Riaz Ahmad’s son and a nephew (residents of the same chak) were involved in this case and should be jailed.

This was the 17th incident of this nature in which the Hindu community had been victimized, but it did not protest over it for fear of the accused landlord’s influence, they said, criticizing District Nazim Tariq Cheema for not having a word with the victims of eight families in different villages.

They appealed to the Punjab governor and chief minister to protect the rights of the minorities, otherwise they would strongly react to the injustice meted out to them.

CRACKDOWN: District Police Officer Sikandar Hayat has directed the local police to step up their campaign to arrest the two suspects involved in a foreign exchange scandal.