MIRPURKHAS: Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested 10 men for their alleged involvement in Monday’s violent incidents in Phuladyyon town, where a complete strike was observed in protest against alleged desecration of the Quran.

The situation remained tense and law enforcement agencies intensified patrolling in the town a day after an angry mob torched three shops, including the clinic of a health practitioner, and attacked a police station.

The health practitioner was arrested and a case under Sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 295-B (defiling, etc, of Holy Quran) of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered against him on a complaint of Maulana Ishaque Nohri.

Mirpurkhas SSP Javed Ahmed Baloch told reporters that law and order situation was under control in the town and legal action was being taken against those involved in the desecration of the Quran.

Police book over 100 for damaging properties of Hindus in small town in Mirpurkhas

He said a case had also been registered against those who had set on fire properties of the Hindu community. They are also accused of looting the shops of Hindus.

He said a committee had been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

The Phuladyyoon police lodged two FIRs on behalf of the state on charges of attempted murder, issuance of threats, looting and damaging the properties, attacking a police station and spreading terror against more than 100 people.

A total of 10 suspects, including Qadir Marri, Khairuddin Shar, Khan Mohammad Shar, Mashooque Marri, Rasool Bux and Wadho Marri, were arrested in raids and search for others was under way.

Sources said that Old Mirpur SHO Kanwar Singh had been appointed investigation officer in the case.

Deputy Commissioner of Mirpurkhas Syed Mehdi Ali Shah and SSP Baloch reached Phuladyyoon town and met different delegations and gathered more information about the situation prevailing there.

MPA Syed Zulfikar Ali Shah also visited different parts of the town and the burnt places belonging to the Hindu community.

He held meetings with both Muslims and Hindus and assured them that legal action would be taken against miscreants.

Meanwhile, Kashif Bajeer, manager for advocacy and networking of a civil society support programme, urged the authorities to order a judicial inquiry into the incident and set up a peace committee in every city and town to handle such kinds of religious issues and compensate the Hindu community for the damages caused to their properties.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2019