NAWAN PIND, Pakistan — Muslims in a town in Pakistan’s Punjab Province who seized a church property have disrupted a prayer meeting at a private residence, sources said.
After police arranged a meeting between the Muslims and members of the congregation in Sialkot District on Jan. 4, the Muslims instead armed themselves with guns and machetes and attacked the Christians’ family members in their homes, said Bashir Masih, a Christian in Nawan Pind, Sadho Mahal.
When the congregation of about 30 Christians began worshipping, Rashid Jutt, a Muslim in his late 20s, arrived to disrupt the meeting. Jutt was forced to leave but returned the next day with about 30 men and began to attack the Christians.
Masih said, “We immediately telephoned the police emergency helpline and a patrol vehicle arrived there after some time. The police rescued our boys from the attackers’ clutches, but they did not arrest any of the Muslims.”
Instead police told the Christians to resolve the issue at a village council meeting. Masih said that although none of the Christians were seriously injured, the area’s 10 to 12 Christian families were shocked and fearful.
(MS)
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