Karak incident: One-man commission proposes in depth probe by KP govt, IGP

ISLAMABAD: The one-man commission for Minorities Rights proposed that the handling of Samaadhi/Mandir's burning incident in Karak by the police needs to be investigated in depth by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and the KP IGP.

In pursuant of the direction, the one-man commission on Monday submitted its report in the Supreme Court.

The commission led by its Chairman Dr Shoaib Suddle along with Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, the chief secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and the IGP KP visited Teri Samaadhi/Mandhir on January 1, 2021.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on December 31, 2020, had taken suo moto notice of burning of Hindu temple in Karak district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

A three-judge bench, headed by the chief justice will hear the case today (Tuesday).

The commission suggested that a proper and thorough investigation needs to be conducted and finalised at the earliest after gathering all available evidence, including forensic evidence, and call records.

The principal instigator of the demolition of Samaadhi/Mandir, Molvi Sharif, must be thoroughly interrogated to unearth any conspiracy and planning behind this gory incident. Entry of suspected miscreants in the Mandir area be banned by the Home Department, proposed the commission.

According to the report, Samaadhi/Mandir dispute spanning 8-9 months was resolved amicably after the One-Man Commission held a meeting in the Chief Secretary's office on 27-11-2020.

"Afterwards an agreement was signed between Mufti Ishfaq and notables of Teri on 22-12-2020. The constitutional rights of Hindu community were accepted and the work stopped due to court stay order resumed," said the report.

However, on 30-12-2020 Molvi Sharif and others led the mob in hundreds to attack the Samaadhi/Mandir.

The mob looted the valuables, after setting the holy site on fire.

Both the DSP and SHO apparently did not take action to control the situation.

An FIR has been registered against 3-4 hundred persons out of whom 96 persons, including Molvi Sharif, have been arrested, said the report.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had agreed to restore the Samaadhi/Mandir to their pre-30-12-2020 position.

A mob on December 30, 2020 burnt the shrine of Hindu saint Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj in Karak, KP. The Samadhi (shrine) is considered sacred by the Hindu community. The Hindu devotees, especially from Sindh, used to visit it.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021