Hindu Temple Vandalised
Pakistan: Mob vandalises Hindu shrine in Karak
Islamabad: A violent mob vandalised a Hindu shrine and set it on fire in Pakistan's Karak district on Wednesday, media reports said.
The incident took place in a far-flung area of Karak's Teri town, with police informing that the law enforcement personnel dispersed the mob after the violence, reports Dawn News.
"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, a local resident present at the site during the violence told DawnNewsTV, adding that after delivering speeches, they attacked the shrine, which was built before 1920.
He told the newspaper that the mob that was chanting slogans set the shrine on fire before demolishing it as well as an under-construction house owned by a member of the Hindu community.
"Residents of nearby villages announced a protest demonstration a few days earlier which was completely ignored by police," the resident told Dawn News, accusing the police of having failed to protect the property.
Karak District Police Officer Irfanullah confirmed the attack to the newspaper, saying the incident had created a law and order situation in the area.
#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 said the mob destroyed the under-construction house due to which the shrine next to it also suffered damaged "collaterally".
"There was a large number of protesters and police controlled the situation," he told Dawn NewsTV.
An FIR has been lodged into the incident.
"Legal action will be taken against all the people who took the law in their hands," he added.
Pakistan Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari tweeted: "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."
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
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