Various Christian organizations, civil society organizations, Human Rights Organizations clergy men and Anjuman-e-Muzareen Punjab, Pakistan (AMP) and Public Educational Association for Community Excellence (PEACE) took out a rally on Tuesday in response to a call for observing a black day to condemn the Gojra violence. This rally started from the Lahore Press Club and ended at front of the building of Punjab assembly. Thousand of Christians wearing black armed bands and holding banners, placards, chanted slogans against the attackers those involved in the Gojra attack. Protesters demanded immediate arrest of Gojra administration despite their transfers. They also demanded immediate arrest of responsible influential culprits of the incidents. Speakers condemn the Gojra incident in which seven people were burnt alive and the hundred of house ransacked by a mob. They also urged Govt. to abolish blasphemy laws.
The 1st On February 06, 1997, the fundamentalist Muslims demolished ‘’Shantinagar village’’ (District Khenawal) with a huge procession of 50 thousand men from surrounding villages and towns. They were raising emotional slogans ‘’kill the Christians because they are blasphemers of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet.’’ This horrible attack was made with incendiary bombs, shells and grenades.
The 2nd on Nov.12, 2005 a mob of 3,000 people set to fire five churches, two clergy men’s houses, four schools, a hostel for girls, a convent and a few houses in the area of Manchar colony in Sangla Hill in the District of Nankana Shaib. Sangla Hill is a small Town and tehsil of District Nankana shaib 110 km far from Lahore in the province of the Punjab.
The 3rd on June 30, 2009 Bhamini Wala village(District Kasur) about Muslims of Bhamini wala and of surrounding villages armed with sticks, petrol and acid attacked the houses if Christians. The Christians of Bhamini Wala have the peaceful reputation. About hundred houses were damaged; valuables (Gold jewelry and cash) were stolen by the attackers.
The 4th July 28, 2009 a big group of fanatic attacked in the village called Chake No. 362/G.B “Korian”. 75 houses were burnt. Many Christians fled from the village and spent their nights in the open fields and different places. The attackers looted their gold jewelry, cash and others valuables. Police knew that there could be an attack but they failed to protect the Christians. It was an open hand to the fanatics. It became clear that nothing of this sort has been done by the accused Christians.
The 5th On August 01, 2009 a big mob attacked on Christian colony at Gojara, Faislabad road. In this incident seven people were burnt alive. Following are the names of the dead: 1. Hameed Masih.2. Akhlas Masih.3. Musa Akhlas. 4. Parveen Hameed.5. Ms. Amina Ilias.6. Ms. Asia Victor 7. Ms. Asifa Subedar. Eighteen were injured seriously. More than seventy houses were set on fire and damaged by an angry mob. A group of young people had covered their faces with veils. They threw bombs and fired in discriminately. The police and management failed to stop these demonstrators from entering the colony. Most of the residents fled but seven of them trapped in their houses and burnt to death.
Note: Video Film & Photographs are also available of these horrible scenes.