September 21, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 08, 1428

MANSEHRA, Sept 20: Hundreds of protesters ransacked a theatre here on Thursday for allegedly spreading obscenity.

The protesters, led by Imam of Markazi Masjid Maulana Waqarul Haq Usman and union council No 3 nazim Tahir Shah, attacked the circus near the Fauji Foundation.

The circus manager and workers managed to flee before the attack. The mob ransacked chairs and other items of the theatre where dancers were performing.

An FIR has been registered against Maulana Waqarul Haq Usman, Tahir Shah and others on the compliant of circus owner Muhammad Shafiq.

Later, talking to journalists, Maulana Waqarul Haq said there has been a ban on the circus/theatre in Mansehra for many years as its dramas were spreading vulgarity.

He said a few days back after peaceful efforts of the Ulema these activities had stopped, but the tehsil administration again allowed the circus to do whatever it wanted.

He said: “We never allowed anyone to spread vulgarity even in normal days, how can we spare the followers of evil in the holy month of Ramazan.”