New Delhi: India has registered a strong protest with Islamabad over the destruction of a Hindu temple in Pakistan, conveying serious concerns to Pakistan high commission at repeated instances of atrocities against the members of the minority community. India asked Pakistan to investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible for the vandalisation and demolition of the temple in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“It was also impressed upon the Pakistan government that this was not the first time the temple was destroyed in Pakistan. This has been ongoing since 1997,” said a source, adding that India also asked Pakistan to share the investigation report of the attack. More than 30 people, mostly members of a radical Islamist party, were arrested over the attack, Pakistani officials said.
According to sources, India reiterated that the Pakistan government, in discharge of its responsibilities, is expected to look after the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities including protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage. The attack on the temple in Terri village of Karak district drew strong condemnation from human rights activists and Hindu community leaders, said a report. Pakistan Supreme Court took note of the attack and ordered the local authorities to appear before the court.
Pakistan pledges to rebuild demolished shrine
The government of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province announced the reconstruction of the demolished Hindu temple in Karak district. KP chief minister Mahmood Khan claimed that the provincial government has issued directives to the authorities concerned to make all preparations for the reconstruction of the temple. He said police have arrested suspects involved in the incident.
The KP police has named over 350 people in the FIR filed under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The charges framed against the accused included defiling a place of worship, hurting religious sentiments, robbery, arson, and assault. According to the FIR, a local cleric, Maulana Mohammad Sharif, during a protest rally directed the participants, of whom there were more than 1,000, to destroy the shrine. He said the demolition of a Hindu place of worship on Muslim land was a sacred duty, The FIR noted that about 400 people led by Sharif attacked and set the temple ablaze. The cleric who led the mob has political association with Jamiat Ulema Islam Fazal, a rightwing party. He has already been arrested by the police.
8 police officials suspended
Eight police officials were suspended for dereliction of duty following the vandalisation of the temple. So far, 100 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, police said, adding that 45 were arrested on Sunday. Over 350 people have been named in the FIR. Superintendent of police (investigation) Zahir Shah said seven leading figures have also been arrested. An anti-terrorist court sent all the accused into police custody.
