CHITRAL: A manw as saved from being beaten to death on the charge of blasphemy in the Shahi Masjid of Chitral during Friday prayers.
The man, who is yet to be identified, is alleged to have pushed the imam of the mosque to allow him to speak after Friday prayers, a local present at the site told DawnNews.
Eyewitnesses claimed the man then uttered ‘blasphemous remarks’ amidst the prayer gathering. As worshippers started beating the man, the mosque’s imam, fearing for the man’s life, handed him over to the police. Police took the man to the local police station for his protection.
They said they were trying to ascertain the man’s mental health. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the man over charges of blasphemy and terrorism, Deputy Commissioner Chitral Shahab Yousafzai told DawnNews. “The situation is under control now,” Yousafzai said, adding that police is investigating the case.
“At the moment, I am not in a position to comment on the mental health of the man,” Yousafzai said. “A team of doctors will file a detail report about his mental health,” he said. Mob reaches police station Soon after the accused was shifted, the mob attacked and broke into the police station amid aerial firing and heavy tear gas shelling from the police.
The firing resulted in power outages nearby as transmission lines were damaged by bullets. The situation remained volatile, police said, while they attempted to cool the mob down and restore peace in the area. The Frontier Constabulary also reached the police station to assist with maintaining law and order, a police official said, adding that “3,000 to 4,000 people” were still present outside the police station.–Published in dawn.com