Huge protest staged against alleged blasphemy in Buner

DAGGAR: Thousands of people staged a protest demonstration against the blasphemy allegedly committed by an Afghan national in Sowari Chowk on Tuesday.

According to details, a 22-year Afghan national identified as Momin Afghani, who is owner of a tandoor in Shoba Market near the City Police Station and currently living in Riga, has attempted to use derogative words against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Monday. Upon this, the local people gathered and tried to kill him.

However, the police arrested the accused and registered a case against him. The enraged people burnt tyres and threw stones at the police station at night to protest the incident. It was learnt that six policemen sustained injuries during the protest by the people. The news about the incident spread like a jungle fire and people from across the district started coming to the main business hub Sowari in the morning.

They gathered at the main chowk in Sowari where Ulema, traders’ leaders, political and social figures delivered furious speeches against the incident. Afghan nationals living in Pir Baba, Dewana Baba, Chamla, Chagharzai, Khadokhel, Salarzai and elsewhere in the district also staged protests against the alleged blasphemer. The protesters demanded the government to award severe punishment to the accused.

They said that the accused should be hanged to death in Main Chowk in Sowari to make him an example for others. Meanwhile, the district administration has sent an increased number of police along with armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to Sowari Chowk to cope with the situation. District Police Officer Abdur Rashid said that the situation was under control as the protesters were assured that the accused would be awarded severe punishment as per law of the land.