Sri Lankan factory manager lynched by mob in Sialkot

A Sri Lankan national, who was working as a manager at a private factory in Sialkot, was beaten to death and his body was later set on fire by a mob over alleged blasphemy.

As per the initial reports, the incident took place on Friday on the Wazirabad Road of Sialkot where most factories are located.

District Police Officer (DPO) Sialkot Omer Saeed Malik confirmed to Bol News that Priyantha Kumara was a Sri Lankan national and living in Sialkot. He added that Kumara was severely beaten to death by the employees of the private factories and later his body was burnt by the mob.

“The investigation into the murder of the export manager who was a Sri Lankan national is underway and I cannot share the motive behind this murder with you as of yet because the investigation is in progress,” he said.

A police official, who spoke to Bol News on the condition of anonymity, said that apart from lynching the manager the workers had also vandalised the factory in which the Sri Lankan was working and also blocked the roads.

“After receiving the report of the incident DPO took a timely measure and a heavy contingent reached the spot and tried to control the law and order situation. After successful negotiations with the angry mob and protestors the traffic was restored,” said the official.

Videos of the incident which have gone viral showed that hundreds of men gathered in the area, with many chanting slogans.

CM Buzdar takes notice

Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has taken notice of the “horrific” incident and directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan to “thoroughly” investigate the matter.

“I am extremely shocked at the horrific Sialkot incident. I have instructed IG Police to thoroughly investigate it. No one is allowed to take the law in their hands. Rest assured, individuals involved in this inhumane act will not be spared!!” said CM Buzdar.

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I am extremely shocked at the horrific Sialkot incident. I have instructed IG Police to thoroughly investigate it. No one is allowed to take law in their hands. Rest assured, individuals involved in this inhumane act will not be spared!!

— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) December 3, 2021

IGP Rao Sardar Ali Khan, while taking note of the incident, directed the Gujranwala regional police officer to reach the location immediately.

“The Sialkot DPO Omer Saeed Malik, is present at the crime scene and all aspects of the incident should be investigated,” the IGP ordered.

Deeply alarmed by the lynching, Amnesty International urged authorities to immediately conduct an “independent, impartial and prompt investigation and hold the perpetrators accountable”.

It further stated that the event underscores the urgency with which an environment that enables abuse and puts lives at risk must be rectified.

PAKISTAN: Amnesty International is deeply alarmed by the disturbing lynching and killing of a Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot, allegedly due to a blasphemy accusation. (Thread)

— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) December 3, 2021

This is not the first time that a mob lynching has taken place in Sialkot.

Back in 2010, a mob had lynched two brothers in the presence of police. The mob had claimed that the brothers were dacoits.