Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
on Wednesday strongly condemned the "abhorrent murder" of three
brothers belonging to the Hindu community and directed
authorities to bring those responsible for the killings to
justice without fail.
Gilani spoke to Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah about
the murder of Ajeet Kumar, Naresh Kumar and Ashok Kumar all
doctors and said the "perpetrators must be arrested and the
law must take its course".
The Premier said "some elements wanted to create unrest"
in Pakistan but their "evil intentions and designs will be
foiled by the democratic government with the support of the
people".
Unidentified gunmen in Sindh yesterday shot dead the
Hindu men following a dispute with a Muslim tribe over a
dancing girl.
The incident occurred at Chak town near Shikarpur, a city
located 400 km from the provincial capital Karachi.
Another Hindu man was injured in the attack.
Chak town has a sizeable Hindu population.
DIG Saen Rakhiyoo Meerani said 13 suspects had been
arrested in connection with the killings.
A dispute had erupted between the Hindus and the Bhaya
Baradari, a local tribe, after Hindu boys reportedly brought a
Muslim dancing girl to the area.
Some reports said the girl was sexually assaulted but
this could not be independently confirmed.
The issue was taken up with local elders so that it could
be resolved after the Eid holidays but the shooting occurred
before that.
President Asif Ali Zardari had taken "serious note"
of the murders yesterday and directed authorities to
immediately arrest the killers.
Gilani said the ruling Pakistan People’s Party was the
"upholder of the rights of minorities and would continue to
support their equal rights without any discrimination".
The minorities were equal citizens of Pakistan and the
government and the PPP would continue to safeguard and
preserve their constitutional rights, Gilani said.
Following the cremation of the three men today, Hindus in
Shikarpur district shut their businesses in protest and
announced they would go on an indefinite strike till those
responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
They also announced three days of mourning.
Members of the Hindu community alleged that police were
patronising the criminals. Some Hindus claimed the Bhaya
Baradri had extorted money from the minority community.
PPP lawmaker Ramesh Lal and Sindh Minister for Minority
Affairs Mohanlal Kohistan attended the funeral of the dead
men.
They told the media that they had come to the area on
the directives of President Zardari. They assured the Hindus
that the killers would be arrested soon.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, 09:11