BADIN: A Hindu man was arrested for allegedly desecrating Holy Quran following massive protests and shutdown by Muslim community in Ghotki District of Sindh, police said on Tuesday.

Daharki police said a Hindu man was “caught and handed over” to them by the residents of village Mehrab Samejo for allegedly “desecrating” Holy Quran.

A large number of people in Daharki, Mirpur, Mathelo, Ghotki and adjoining areas of the district took to the streets and blocked National Highway for more than six hours while protesting against the alleged desecration of the holy scripture.

Protesters demanded “severe punishment” for the accused. A First-Information Report (FIR) was also registered against the accused under section 295 (B) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Sensing trouble following a violent protest, the district administration sought help from Pakistan Rangers to control the situation. There have been several incidents of communal disharmony in the Ghotki district over the past few years, police said.

According to the protesters, the accused entered a mosque and “set the holy scripture on fire”.

After taking the Hindu man in custody, police moved him to an undisclosed location for his safety. A police official, who wished not to be named, told Dawn that the police and law enforcement agencies were trying their best to calm down the tense situation.

He added that the police has arrested as many as 30 people on charges of disrupting law and order during raids on different towns in the district.

Despite repeated attempts, SSP Ghotki Masood Bangash was not available for comment.

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...