Hindu Shrine gets burned down in KP’s Karak
Lahore, 30th December: A mob vandalized and burned down a Hindu shrine in a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan.
Baaghi TV: A mob vandalised the samadhi (shrine) of a Hindu saint and subsequently set it on fire in the Karak district of KP on Wednesday, confirmed by locals and police officials.
According to reports from the Dawn News, the incident took place in a far-flung area of Karak’s Teri town, with police saying law enforcement personnel dispersed the mob after the violence.
A local resident present at the site during the violence told Dawn News TV, “More than a thousand people led by some local elders of a religious party held a protest and demanded the removal of the Hindu place” of worship and after delivering speeches, they moved towards and attacked the shrine, which was built before 1920.”
#BREAKING…A mob led by local clerics destroyed Hindu temple in Karak district of KP. Hindus obtained permission from the administration to extend the temple but local clerics arranged a mob to destroy the temple. Police & administration remained silent spectators @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/fL6J13YSGN
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) December 30, 2020
He reported that the mob was chanting slogans and set the shrine on fire before demolishing it as well as an under-construction house owned by a member of the Hindu community.
The resident said, accusing the police of having failed to protect the property, “Residents of nearby villages announced a protest demonstration a few days earlier which was completely ignored by police.”
Videos posted on social media show a large crowd present at the site, chanting slogans and tearing down the walls of the property. Smoke and fire could be seen in the visuals.
Karak District Police Officer Irfanullah confirmed the attack, saying the incident had created a law and order situation in the area.
There are no Hindus in the area and it was the home of the single samadhi, the DPO explained.
He said the mob destroyed the under-construction house due to which the shrine next to it also suffered damage.
The DPO also said that a first FIR of the incident had been registered but no one had been arrested so far.
“Legal action will be taken against all the people who took the law in their hands,” he added.
As per reports, this was the second attack on the shrine, which was demolished in 1997 and rebuilt in 2005 on orders of the Supreme Court.
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan took notice of the incident and directed police to take action against the persons involved.
Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari tweeted: “Strongly condemn the burning of a Hindu temple by a mob in Karak, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. KP government must ensure culprits brought to justice.”
Strongly condemn the burning of a Hindu temple by a mob in Karak Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. KP govt must ensure culprits brought to justice. MOHR also moving on this. We as a govt have a responsibility to ensure safety & security of all our citizens & their places of worship.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 30, 2020
She further said, “MOHR is also moving on this. We as a govt have a responsibility to ensure the safety & security of all our citizens & their places of worship.”
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV to read all details!
