IG Punjab visits Bhong Temple

Lahore:  Inspector General of Punjab Police Inam Ghani said that he came here Bhong as a representative of the Punjab government to show solidarity with the Hindu community and make them feel safe. 

Islam is a universal religion in which the rights of minorities are clear and I assure you all that as Inspector General of Police Punjab and as a Muslim I have a legal, religious and moral responsibility to protect minorities in law and religion.  The rights that have been given should be fully respected and whatever steps are required for it should not be avoided while remaining within the ambit of law.  He further said that the protection of life, property, honor, religious places and property of all the citizens living in the province, irrespective of religion, sect, nationality and sect, is the first responsibility of the Punjab Government and Punjab Police.  Punjab Police is taking all possible steps for this purpose.  He further said that a summary has been sent to the Punjab Chief Minister for permanent deployment of security personnel at minority places of worship.  He further added that, In the incident of Bhong, the Punjab Police first ensured the security of human lives, later the temple, CPEC and the motorway as the loss of human life can not be repaired or compensated in any case.  He termed the involvement of anti-state elements in the Bhong incident as out of the question and said that some powers wanted to tarnish Pakistan’s international image by promoting sectarianism and mischief but such miscreants and anti-national elements should  listen carefully that  Punjab Police is active and ready at all times to thwart their nefarious intentions and  investigation of all the three cases registered in this incident is being carried out keeping in view all the aspects and no effort shall be spared for getting the accused of this incident sentenced as per law.   He further said that we have utmost respect for the courts and implementation of the directions and orders of the Supreme Court has been ensured and a report has been submitted to the court in this regard whereas details of current steps and future plan will be revealed in new report.  He hoped that the Supreme Court would be satisfied with the steps taken by the Punjab Police.  He expressed these views while talking to media persons on the occasion of his visit to Bhong Temple in Rahim Yar Khan today.  Additional IG South Punjab Captain (Retd) Zafar Iqbal Awan, DPO Rahim Yar Asad Sarfraz Khan and local elders of Hindu community were also present on the occasion.

Responding to questions from media persons, the IG Punjab further said that the Hindu community of Bhong is satisfied with the efforts of the local administration and police while the Punjab police would continue to provide security to the citizens in future also.  He further said that the damage to the temple has been compensated with the help of Punjab government while so far 95 accused have been arrested in this regard.  He clarified that in the investigation of the three cases registered in connection with this incident, no concession will be made to the responsible persons keeping in view the merit alone and those who are not found guilty in the investigation will be acquitted in any case and of course the Hindu community will want the same which is also the demand of law and justice. He added that followers of all religions live together in peace and order in Bhong and there has never been a problem of law and order here whereas Punjab Government and Punjab Police would not spare any effort for maintaining law and order and peaceful environment in future.   He further said that along with the observance and protection of justice and law and order, maintaining the government writ is the first responsibility of the police and in this regard all possible administrative steps are taken for the safety and welfare of the people.  He further said that the parliamentarians elected from Bhong are the representatives of the people irrespective of their affiliation with political parties they represent the people in the parliament.  He further said that the cases registered in connection with the incident would be brought to a logical conclusion and those responsible would be severely punished according to their guilt.