LAHORE: The caretaker Punjab government on Thursday constituted multiple joint investigation teams (JIT) to investigate the vandalism and arson of 19 churches and several homes of Christian community members in Jaranwala tehsil over blasphemy allegations last week.
On the other hand, the police claimed to have arrested 17 more suspects in Jaranwala incident after collecting data through geofencing while 11 more cases were registered by the police.
On August 16, a charged mob, incited by messages through loudspeakers from mosques, stormed the Christian neighbourhood, ransacking and torching at least 19 churches and over 80 residences besides terrorising members of the community.
On Thursday, the Punjab government through Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Shakeel Ahmed constituted at least 10 different JITs to probe the Jaranwala incident further.
The JITs have been constituted under the provisions of Section 19(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and comprise six members, including SSP (Investigation) Faisalabad, DSP CTD Faisalabad, DSP Inv-1 Faisalabad as well as Inspectors/SHOs and Sub-Inspectors of relevant police station. Each JIT shall also comprise of one additional co-opted member.
Earlier that day, the Punjab police had booked at least three local Christians over blasphemy allegations and attempted to negotiate with the Muslim mob.
Members of the Christian community have held demonstrations demanding immediate repair to and restoration of the burnt churches and houses.
The protestors have alleged that despite intimation, the Faisalabad police did not take timely action against the agitators.
On the other hand, initial investigations have indicated a meticulously orchestrated plot behind the incident of ransacking of property in Jaranwala.
Following the attack, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar assured all the minority communities in the country that the government was committed to protecting their lives and properties, vowing to bring the perpetrators of the heinous attacks against them to justice.
The Punjab government has already announced it will pay Rs2 million in compensation to each family of the Christian community that lost a house during the violence.
11 cases filed under terrorism, blasphemy charges
The police have lodged 11 more cases under terrorism and blasphemy charges of the Jaranwala incident, taking the total number of cases to 32 so far.
More than 1,000 people have been nominated in these cases that include the provisions of vandalism, arson, and interference in government affairs.
According to police, raids are being conducted to arrest more suspects.
Previously on Wednesday, five more cases were registered over the vandalism and violence in a Christian colony in Jaranwala. The cases were registered against 750 suspects, and raids were being conducted to arrest them.
The cases were registered in Jaranwala Saddar police station under various sections, including terrorism and vandalism.
The total number of cases registered in Jaranwala has increased to 32.
Earlier, Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi said that two prime suspects of violent incidents were arrested.
According to the FIR, a mob of 500-600, who were led by a group of people, “attacked the Christian community, ransacked people’s homes after entering them and torched Christians’ homes and church buildings”.
The FIR invoked sections 7(1)(d), 7(1)(j), 7(1)(g) and 7(1)(h) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
It also invoked sections 148, 149, 153A, 186, 295, 295A, 324, 353, 427, 436 and 452 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The FIR also included sections 5 and 6 of the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act 2015.
Meanwhile, WAPDA and KAPCO announced to rehabilitate the houses burnt down in Jaranwala.
On the other hand, a survey of the damaged houses is underway with the help of the district administration and the provincial government.
17 more suspects arrested
On the other hand, the police claimed to have arrested 17 more suspects in Jaranwala incident after collecting their data through geofencing.
According to police sources, the arrests were made with the help of videos of the nominated suspects in the Jaranwala and geofencing of the crime scene.
With fresh arrests, the total number of suspects arrested in the Jaranwala incident has reached 207.
Earlier, the Jaranwala police registered terrorism cases against more than 600 people for “vandalizing multiple churches and torching homes belonging to the Christian community” after alleged blasphemy by a member of the community.
According to the FIR, a mob of 500-600 led by a group of people, “attacked the Christian community, ransacked people’s homes after entering them and torched Christians’ homes and the church building”.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government also ordered the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident, in line with directives issued by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq.
