Scores arrested in Sialkot lynching case

SIALKOT: Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant for Information Hassan Khawar on Saturday said that police has conducted 200 raids and arrested 118 accused including 13 prime suspects for lynching and burning the body of a Sri Lankan national over alleged blasphemy.

In a press conference along with IG Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan, he said that the police had obtained footage from 160 CCTV cameras while additional video and data sources such as mobile data and call records would also be reviewed.

“Significant progress has been made in the probe and the further investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

He said the remains of the slain would be handed over to the Sri Lankan embassy through the interior and foreign ministries.

“No one will get any concession and if the authorities commit negligence, action will be taken against them,” the special aide said.

Earlier today, Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Raja Basharat said that the premier was constantly monitoring the situation after the Sialkot incident.

He also claimed that the Punjab police had arrested almost all the accused involved in lynching of the Sri Lankan national under CrPC sections 302, 297, 201, 427, 431, 147, 149 and provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATC).

Initial report sent to PM

An initial inquiry report of the lynching incident, finalised by Punjab Law Minister Basharat, had been sent to PM Imran and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, a Bol News report on Saturday quoted sources as confirming.

The Sialkot incident took place on the Wazirabad Road where most of the factories are located.

As per the report, the incident happened at 11 am, in the absence of factory owners, and at least 120 people were arrested for their involvement in the attack.

Read more: Army chief condemns ‘cold-blooded’ murder of Sri Lankan national in Sialkot

The sources also claimed that a delegation of foreign companies had to visit the factory on Friday. Therefore, Kumara had asked his employees to clean the machines and remove religious stickers pasted on them. Some people were unhappy with the factory manager for his discipline and the way, he made them do work, added the sources.