‘Ghotki attacks on Hindu community conspiracy to foment communal unrest,’ probe finds

An investigation committee formed to uncover the facts surrounding the violence that erupted in Ghotki earlier this month discovered that the attacks were a conspiracy to "foster communal disturbances in the area," according to a report published Friday by the Ministry of Rights. Humans.

An investigation delegation was formed on the directives of the Minister of Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, after a general feeling of resentment was observed among the Hindu community.

The resentment arose after an accusation of blasphemy that led to the violence and vandalism of Hindu temples in the district, as well as the mysterious death of a student in Larkana that remains unsolved.

The team includes the following members:

1. Lal Chand Malhi, MNA and parliamentary secretary of human rights.
2. Chaila Ram, the former president of the Hindu Council of Pakistan
3. Ali Palh, defender and human rights defender of Sindh
4. Kirshan Sharma, civil society activist.
5. Baghi Soomro, a social welfare worker
6. Mukhtiar Ahmed Abbasi, human rights defender.
7. Sattar Ranghejo, human rights defender
8. Baghwan Das Bheel of the Bheel Lawyers Forum
9. Kanwal Ijaz, women's rights activist.
10. Ishaque Thri, journalist
11. Ishaque Soomro, journalist.
12. Fida Hussain Chochan of the Citizen Journalism Network
13. Bota Masih, a social worker
14. Mehrunissa Baloch, social worker
15. Fareeda Channa, a social welfare worker
16. Radha Bheel, a social welfare worker
17. Other members of civil society and human rights defenders of Sindh

Meetings

The team visited Ghotki, Sukkur and Larkana to investigate the incidents that occurred and to find out what fears the members of the local community have.

At the temple of Sant Satram Dham in Ghotki, the delegation met with community leaders and assured them protection and justice for the Hindu community and described the attacks as a "conspiracy to undermine community harmony in the area."

The community demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged case of blasphemy so that "fair measures" can be taken in accordance with the law. He questioned how a teacher, who has been teaching students for the past thirty years, most of them Muslims, could commit blasphemy.

"They also demanded severe actions against the defendants who attacked the temple, ransacked stores, tried to violate the sanctity of the houses" and caused an adverse situation of law and order that caused fear and harassment among the community, according to the ministry's report .

The Hindu delegation also showed its appreciation for local Muslims who "came to rescue them and guarded their homes during the night, defeating the wicked."

The team also met with the Ghotki Senior Superintendent of Police, Farrukh Ali, who informed them about the incidents and the current situation of law and order. He assured the delegation that the police would ensure that such incidents are avoided in the future.

recommendations

Meetings were also held with "several impartial people." "During the discussion with the administration and civil society, it seemed that the attack on the temple and the riots were planned a night before."

According to the delegation's findings, "there were reports of political motivation, with hidden motives and some political personalities supported criminals."

Note Lal, the teacher accused of blasphemy, "actively participated in supporting a political party in the recent Ghotki partial elections," according to the report.

The investigation delegation also opined that "the police were lenient in applying relevant sections in the FIR" and that they did not take into account that the attacks "were planned and some influential people were involved."

According to the report, the police "did everything possible to control the situation, however, few concessions were made to calm it down."

recommendations

The team has recommended that a judicial investigation be ordered to determine whether the blasphemy law was misused against Lal. The investigation should also determine whether subsequent riots "were not the result of a planned conspiracy to disturb the peace of Sindh."

The investigation should also shed light on recurring complaints from the Hindu community, the team concluded.

It is recommended to apply Section 34 of the Criminal Code of Pakistan together with Section 295-A in the case of blasphemy against the criminals who attacked the temple. Under Section 295-A, the punishment is imprisonment for a period that may extend to ten years, or a fine, or both.

The administration was instructed not to hesitate to call the paramilitary forces to control such incidents in the future.

The ruling issued by the Supreme Court on June 19, 2014 on the protection of minorities "must be implemented in letter and spirit," was also recommended.

Nimarta murder case

A meeting was also held with the family of Nimarta, the student found mysteriously dead in Larkana on September 16. The research team expressed their deepest sympathy for the sad death of the student and assured the family that "all possible measures would be taken to provide them justice."

A separate meeting was also held with Nimarta's father. The father, for unknown reasons, expressed his reluctance to file a complaint with the police. He, however, insisted that the girl was killed.

The delegation was also provided with an informative session of the Larkana SSP, Masood Ahmed Bangash. SSP Bangash said the case is under investigation and said a FIR had not yet been filed. He informed the team that the department of origin has instructed the district and the session judge to initiate a judicial investigation into the matter.

The hostel at Asifa Dental College, where Nimarta had been studying, was also visited to gather details.

It was discovered that adequate security measures were lacking in the shelter, including the absence of CCTV cameras.

The team has recommended that the family of Nimarta be provided with security. In addition, he recommended that girls be more secure in shelters, including the installation of CCTV cameras.