- Mob also sets ablaze DSP’s office, police vehicles after snatching accused from police
SWAT: An alleged blasphemer was burnt alive by a mob over alleged desecration of the Holy Quran in Madyan area of Swat district on Thursday night, the police said.
According to hospital sources, eleven local people have also been injured and shifted to Madyan Civil Hospital and Saidu Sharif Hospital for medical aid.
After the incident, people blocked the main highway of Kalam by closing Madyan Bazaar.
According to Swat DPO Dr Zahidullah, the tragic incident took place after people informed the police that a tourist from Sialkot, identified as Sulaiman, committed blasphemy by setting ablaze the Holy Quran.
The DO said that the police arrested Sulaiman and shifted him to Madyan police station, but a large number of people besieged the police station after making announcements through loudspeakers from local mosques.
The police resorted to fire into the air to disperse the crowd, but the crowd entered the police station.
Dr Zahid further said that the angry people set fire and vandalized DSP Madyan’s office, building and police vehicles.
“The angry people also snatched the accused from the possession of the police and after dragging him on streets, they set him on fire and killed him,” the DPO confirmed.
The DPO and other police officers have also reached the spot and heavy police force has been called into the area to deal with any untoward incident.
DPO Khan said a heavy police force was deployed in Madyan and was trying to control the tense situation.
IG Police KP Akhtar Hayat Khan has also taken strict notice of the incident and has sought a report from DPO Swat.
More details are awaited while an investigation is underway.
Videos making the rounds on social media show a mob circling a body on fire in the middle of the road as well as people gathered in huge numbers outside a police station.
Meanwhile, a statement posted by the PTI said KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took notice of the “unfortunate” incident and contacted the provincial police chief on the matter.
Summoning a report, he ordered the police chief to take measures on an emergency basis to control the situation. Expressing regret over the incident, the chief minister appealed to the people to remain peaceful.
