Faisalabad: On Sunday Train service between Faisalabad and Karachi once again suspended
when a large number of people from Christian community came out a protest rally along with
seven dead bodies of the victims of Gojra violence and blocked the railway tracks. The Eight
passenger trains including Millat Express and Karakoram Express and two merchandise
trains stopped at the close railway stations. . The protesters were demanding registration of
FIR against the persons accountable for Gojra brutality including DCO and DPO Toba Tek
Singh. Some people of Christian community including women and children were killed in the
violence on Saturday. The Gojra Police Sunday instigate a crackdown against alleged
protester, who apparently involved in Gojra violent behavior and arrested around 200 people.
Ubaid-ur-Rehman Shah Jamal, and Abdul Khaliq of proscribed sectarian group Sipah-e-
Sahaba and Hafiz Imran of Jamiat Ahle Hadith the suspected included. Rana Sanaullah
Provincial Law Minister confirmed the arrest of over 100 suspected miscreants and said two
cases against the accused had been registered at police station Gojra City and Gojra Sadar.
Trial of both the cases would be detained before Anti Terrorist Court.
DSP Police Gojra said “six workers of a banned religious group were among the arrested
persons”. Rana Sanaullah visited the violence-hit city and promised to pay compensation to
the affected families and said a survey would be conducted to evaluate losses. He said, “We
have identified those who attacked, they are terrorists, these people want to destabilise our
country and democracy.” The rangers had taken control of Gojra, but tension continued to
hold the region as the majority of the shopping centers stay closed. Heavy reliant of police
and rangers were patrolling the concerned areas including Al-Awan Colony. Ranger’s
spokesman said the situation of the Gojra city was under control and it would soon be further
improved.
Senior Minister of Punjab, Raja Riaz Ahmad, Revenue Minister Haji Ishaq and minority
MPA Pervez Rafique visited the city to review law and order situation. According to reports,
President Zardari heading for Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti to stay
in Gojra until the condition becomes normal, and also asked him to take steps to protect life
and property of people. Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has proclaimed Rs500, 000
for each deprived family and directed the Commissioner and the RPO to stay in Gojra till the
situation is restored and arrange a report on Gojra bloodshed. Christian community and
human rights organizations expressed their shock over the event of aggression in Gojra in
which precious lives were lost and public property was damaged. They said all religions hate
aggression and preach patience,
According to intelligence sources, the Interior Ministry on July 18 had informed all the four
provincial governments regarding possibility of the incidents of terrorism in Faisalabad,
Okara, Sialkot, Toba Tek Singh and Rawalpindi. |