FAISALABAD, Jan 16: Four main witnesses in the self-proclaimed Imam Mehdi case recorded their statements before the Anti-Terrorism Court here on Monday.

They blamed the cult members for attacking the people and police, passing objectionable remarks against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and creating the law and order situation.

DSP Malik Abdul Rasheed, also a complainant in the blasphemy case registered against cult leader Shahbaz Ahmed and his followers, also recorded his statement before court.

The DSP claimed that the accused had committed heinous crime of blasphemy, attacked police parties, created harassment among the public and used illegal weapons.

He further observed that the accused had opened fire on the people threatening them to recite a new “kalima” and accept their leader as ‘Imam Mehdi’. The area people saved their lives by taking shelter in shops and by laying down on the ground due to intense firing. During an exchange of fire with the police on the Motorway, he said the accused had injured their own accomplices — Naveed, Tahir Ahmed, Baba Shafi and Abid. While Baba Shafi had died on way to hospital.

He said the police had recovered 12 rifles, eight pistols, one gun, banners and armbands inscribed with “Deen-i-Younas” slogans from cult members.

Peoples Colony DSP Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed, who had negotiated with cult members during the operation, also recorded his statement. He said the accused had hijacked a bus on the Motorway and threatened to kill the passengers if their leader was not accepted as ‘Imam Mehdi’. He also narrated the whole story of the operation.

Muhammad Younas, a passer-by who had sustained injuries due to indiscriminate firing from cult members, and one Riaz Baig, who had provided his house on rent to the accused, also recorded their statements.

After recording statements of witnesses, the judge adjourned the proceedings till Tuesday (today). To announce the judgment in the shortest possible period, the ATC has started day-to-day hearing of the case.