LAHORE, Jan 24: A man was killed and 11 other people suffered injuries, four of them critically, in a Muslim-Christian clash over an eve-teasing issue at Eissa Nagar in Shadbagh on Monday.
"A minor issue turned into the clash. However, the situation in the locality has been brought under control," SP Dr Usman Anwar told Dawn, and added that police were also facilitating negotiations between both the groups to help thwart the situation. He said that all people responsible had also been arrested and cases registered against them.
The clash began late Sunday night when two Christian youngsters allegedly teased the daughter of Haseeb Khan, a resident of Misri Shah, who had visited the locality to condole the death of a relative.
Mr Khan exchanged harsh words with the youngsters, Pitras Masih and Yousuf Masih, who, in return, opened fire on him. He, too, allegedly whipped out a pistol and returned fire.
Yousuf Masih, his nephew Karamat Masih and Mr Khan sustained bullet wounds. They all were rushed to hospital where Mr Khan, 34, died. The other two were critical. On Monday noon, dozens of realtives of the deceased and other residents gathered in the locality to protest the death. They blocked the roads in the area and burnt tyres.
The protesters turned violent and attacked the houses belonging to the Christians. Inmates of the houses also retaliated with bricks and stones. Later, a Christian, Kalu Masih, allegedly opened fire on them from the rooftop of his house.
The police reached the spot and dispersed the protesters. Some of the Christian families left their houses and others locked themselves inside. At least 11 people sustained injuries from both the sides.
They were rushed to different hospitals nearby. Four of them were admitted to hospital and doctors there said their condition was critical till late night. One of them was a minor boy who the doctors feared might be paralyzed for rest of his life.
Later, a large number of riot police were deployed in the locality, including a Church, to guard the minority and avoid any other untoward situation.
The SP said that the two Christians who allegedly killed the man and the third one who opened fire on the protesters had been arrested besides several others from both the sides. Further investigation is under way.
