Pakistani Christian community attacked after blasphemy accusation

26/5/2024 6:57

        At least 10 members of a minority Christian community were rescued on Saturday after a Muslim crowd attacked their settlement on blasphemy accusation
        in eastern Pakistan, police and a community leader said.
        
        The crowd, which accused the Christian group of blasphemy, also hurled stones and bricks at the police, said Shariq Kamal, the police chief of Sargodha district.
        
        At least one house and a small shoe factory was set on fire by protesters who had gathered after neighbours alleged that the Muslim holy book, the Koran, had been desecrated by a minority community member, according to a police spokesman and Akmal Bhatti, a Christian leader.
        
        "They burned one house" and several Christians were badly beaten, Bhatti said.
        
        A large contingent of police cordoned off the settlement, Kamal said, adding that the crowd had been pushed back. One member of the Christian community who was taken to hospital was later said to be in a stable condition.