GOJRA, Pakistan — A standoff in Gojra between Pakistani officials and Christians protesting the government’s reluctance to prosecute a murderous Islamic assault ended with officials finally consenting to file a complaint against key Muslim clerics and security officers.
Hundreds of Christians demonstrated Aug. 2 in Gojra, where the previous day rampaging Muslims — acting on an unsubstantiated rumor of “blasphemy” of the Quran and whipped into a frenzy by local imams and banned terrorist groups — killed at least seven Christians and looted more than 100 houses, setting fire to 50 of them. At least 19 people were injured. In protest of government reluctance to name two security officers for negligence in connection with Christians burned to death, demonstrators refused to quickly bury the dead Aug. 2 as officials requested.
Believing the government was stalling in registering a complaint, demonstrators put the coffins with the charred remains on railroad tracks for three hours before officials agreed to include district police officer Muhammad Inkasar Khan and district coordinating officer Sikandar Baloch in the complaint filed against more than 20 named and 800 unnamed people.
The two officers are accused of negligence in allowing the Islamic violence to erupt. Sources said the officers have not been suspended, terminated or arrested.
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