SUKKUR: The Kashmore police claimed on Sunday to have saved a Hindu trader from an emotionally charged mob who accused him of committing blasphemy and called for his death.

Police sources said that three days ago the Hindu who ran a grocery shop in Buxapur town was accused by his employee of committing blasphemy, prompting several hundreds of protesters led by ulama to take to the streets and chant slogans against the alleged blasphemer.

Realising the gravity of the situation, local police acted quickly, took the hapless Hindu into protective custody and transferred him to SSP Kashmore’s office in Kandhkot as the emotionally charged mob blocked Indus Highway and demanded the police hand over the alleged blasphemer to them or immediately register an FIR against him under 295-C PPC.

The police tried to pacify the protesters by informing them they would act against the suspect after an enquiry which was being held to ascertain the allegation. The protesters, however, continued to block the highway for seven hours and finally police used batons to disperse them, said police.

At the same time, police officials held talks with ulama and agreed to hold an open enquiry with the help of community leaders and ulama to get to the bottom of the matter.

The ulama agreed to hold talks the next day after Friday prayers and in the end, it was proved that the Hindu grocer had not committed any blasphemy. The rumour was spread by some anti-social elements who wanted to settle score with the trader.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2020