Hindu Temple destruction, Police launches crackdown
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PESHAWAR – Police in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have arrested more than two dozen suspects in overnight raids a day after a Hindu temple was set ablaze and badly damaged by a mob in the town of Karak, some 100km (62 miles) southeast of the provincial capital Peshawar.
As many as 350 people including JUI-F district leader Maulana Mirza Aqeem have been booked for launching an attack on Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj Samadhi on Wednesday.
However, a total of 31 suspects have been arrested raids are being conducted to arrest the other suspects.
The mob carried out the attack as locals were apparently offended by a planned extension of the temple, which was built in 1920.
Karak District Police Officer Irfanullah said the shrine's keeper had "secretly" bought a house next to the shrine. The protesters were against its construction because they assumed the shrine was being expanded.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed has taken took suo-motu notice of the incident after a meeting with Pakistan Hindu Council representative Dr Ramesh Kumar. The case will be heard on January 5.
The top court has also sought a report from the National Commission of Minorities as well as police chief and chief secretary of the northwestern province.
