FAISALABAD, July 1: A village panchayat on Sunday finalised a `deal’ between some Christian residents of Chak 248-RB, Bismillahpur, Dijkot, and those who allegedly attacked them ahead of a church ceremony on June 17.

Reports said the 10-member panchayat which helped resolve the issue comprised five members from each party to the dispute.

Settling the dispute `amicably’, the panchayat decided that the parties would withdraw cases they got registered against each other, and in future any matter arising between them `would not be treated as a religious conflict’.

The panchayat also directed the `attackers’ to offer a written apology to the Christians for trying to disrupt the church ceremony, which they did.

At least 10 Christians were subjected to severe torture by a group of 30 people ahead of church ceremony in an incident which caused considerable tension in the area. Police had registered separate cases against the both parties.

Following the incident, the Christian residents of the village had to flee, leaving their houses unguarded and quitting their jobs, mostly at local brick kilns.

The incident and its aftermath reportedly brought economic hardship for the Christians involved. The brick kiln owners sacked at least 10 Christian workers citing pressure from influential people.

Ijaz, one of the injured in June 17 attack, told Dawn that since the clash he and other members of his community were on the run, facing severe economic crunch.

“The situation compelled us to seek advance payments from our employers, but they refused to oblige us saying that they were being accused of funding Christians involved in the dispute. Exploiting our situation they also pressurised us to `settle’ the issue.”

He said the employers also demanded back the money they had already given them.

Faryad Saroosh, the complainant in the case, has demanded compensation for economic loss the Christians had to suffer in the wake of the incident.