Pakistan: Christian village attacked on blasphemy charges

Hundreds of Christians in a village in Kasur, Pakistan fled their homes after irate Muslim mobs went on a rampage on Tuesday.

The incident at Bahmniwala district reportedly occurred over a trivial dispute which eventually led to charges of blasphemy against Christians whose houses were burned and hundreds injured.

According to reports, the ruckus began after a Muslim man refused to give way to 38-year-old Sardar Masih who was riding on a tractor. The Christian was denied way for being a "low caste".

Later, the local cleric along with the Muslim spread false rumours of Christians passing derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. This instigated a mob of at least 600 who used petrol-bombs, destroying electricity meters and damaging water pipes that completely crippled the church community.

Sohail Johnson, chief coordinator of the Sharing Life Ministry, says police stood idle as mosques urged a complete boycott and hundreds of Christians were seen thrashed by seething mobs.

He condemned the ignorance of officials who failed to protect the minorities and called for action against perpetrators of violence.

According to the International Christian Concern, "At least 9 burned women and 4 children have been transferred to Lahore for further medical treatment. All of them have been injured by throwing acid on them. Local police have arrived but the situation is out of control."

Human Rights and Minority Affairs Minister Kamran Michael has promised to judiciously investigate the case and has even demanded the government for an estimate of the loss suffered by the Christian community.