LAHORE: Inspector General (IG) Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar has claimed that a network of hostile agencies was involved in the Jaranwala incident, wherein a violent mob ransacked and torched churches and attacked the community’s residences following an alleged incident of blasphemy.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday, he said, “The Jaranwala incident has links to [a network of] hostile agencies. We have arrested three main suspects involved in the attacks including about 180 other people.”
Usman Anwar revealed that all culprits involved in Jaranwala and Faisalabad incidents have been arrested. “More than 300 people were investigated and over 180 people were arrested in Jaranwala case,” he added.
“We have already said that efforts are being made to create a rift between Muslims and Christians. The conspiracy was started from the Sargodha incident,” the IG Punjab added.
He further said that no one could be allowed to take the law into their hands. The law, he added, became active against the Jaranwala incident and the victims were being aided while the construction of the damaged churches is underway.
Usman Anwar further stated that the Jaranwala incident was a conspiracy to disrupt social harmony and religious bonds between followers of two faiths. He also appealed religious scholars for positive use of loud speakers.
He said Punjab Police established Massaaq center to promote harmony in society. Dr Usman Anwar lauded the role of Ulema and civil society that expressed solidarity with affectees of the incident.
A mob attacked, vandalized multiple churches and torched homes belonging to the Christian community in Jaranwala, Faisalabad over blasphemy allegations.
The Jaranwala police registered terror cases against more than 600 people for “vandalizing multiple churches and torching homes belonging to the Christian community”.
It is pertinent to mention here that 10 Joint Investigation Teams (JIT) were constituted to probe Jaranwala incident. The JIT constituted for the investigation includes CTD, police, and CIA police officers.
Furthermore, the JIT teams will conduct investigations separately in cases related to the Jaranwala incidents.
