‘Sacrilege’ violence in Malerkotla

Mahesh Sharma

Malerkotla, June 25

Punjab’s Muslim-dominated town of Malerkotla remained tense today following violence over the alleged desecration of the Quran. Vehicles were torched and public property damaged. 

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The incident occurred in the holy month of Ramzan. The administration has stepped up security in the town. Three cases have been registered against 312  persons for hurting religious sentiments, damaging property and attacking a police party.

Mohammad Ashraf of Mohalla Sheikh Gali told the police that four persons in a Bolero had torn pages from the Quran on Friday night. He said he had found the pages strewn on the road leading to Jarag Chowk and had handed these over to the Mufti at Masjid Bulle Shah for burial. 

On learning about the incident, activists of Muslim organisations gathered at Jarag Chowk and held a protest. A mob, armed with petrol bombs, rods and crude weapons, attacked policemen outside SAD MLA Farzana Alam’s residence and damaged four vehicles. It set the guard post on fire. 

A police party, led by SP Jaswinder Singh and SHO Harwinder Pal Singh, tried to pacify the protesters, but was attacked. The police had to fire into the air to scare away the mob. Nineteen persons, including 15 policemen, were injured. 

Whereas the Akali MLA’s husband (former ADGP Azhar Alam) accused a local Congress leader of “instigating” the attack on his residence, Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh claimed that Alam’s security personnel had fired indiscriminately, injuring several persons. 

"I appeal for calm. Nobody will be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace and harmony in the state."– Parkash Singh Badal, CM

"I apprehend a conspiracy at the behest of the CM to destabilise Punjab ahead of Assembly elections "– Capt Amarinder Singh, PPCC Chief