Curfew-like situation in Chitral town, markets, offices closed

CHITRAL: Tension and a curfew like situation prevailed in Chitral a day after angry people tried to lynch a blasphemy suspect.

There were reports that a large number of people from Koghuzi side were on way to the town to demand the handing over of the mentally-disturbed man who allegedly passed blasphemous remarks in the Shahi Masjid during Friday prayers.

Sources told ChitralToday that the law enforcement agencies had shifted the man from the Chitral police station to an undisclosed location soon after an angry mob tried to break in to lynch him on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Chitral Scouts and army troops have reached the city from Arandu, Drosh and other areas to maintain law and order. They have closed all roads and streets in the city and continued patrolling in the area.

The general officer commanding Malkand was expected to visit Chitral to review the situation. The sources also told ChitralToday that a large number of people, including some shopkeepers, had been detained by the security agencies on the charge of inciting the people to take law into their own hands.