Saturday, February 7, 2009

Ahmadi children sent to DG Khan Jail

---Daily Times, Pakistan

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Ahmadi children sent to DG Khan Jail

By Abdul Manan

LAHORE: Four Ahmadi children charged with blasphemy have been sent to Dera Ghazi Khan Central Jail, while the local chapters of banned militant organisations besieged the houses of the Ahmadiyya community at 172/TDA Kot Sultan village in Layyah, Daily Times learnt from local community leaders.

Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Pervez Tareen told Daily Times he had not completed investigations. He said he had sent the children on judicial remand and would continue with the investigation. However, he said he could not give a timeframe for the conclusion of the investigation. The police remand submitted in the civil court states that the investigation has not been completed but the accused should be sent to jail. Local Ahmadiyya community head Masood Ahmed alleged the police had deliberately delayed the investigation. He claimed the police had admitted lack of evidence against the accused. Ahmed said the children’s books had been sent to them in prison, so they could prepare for their examinations. He said local chapters of banned militant organisations had on February 5 again accused the Ahmadiyya community of blasphemy. Kot Sultan Station House Officer (SHO) Khalid Rauf confirmed that a new complaint of blasphemy had been made. To a question, he said he had not received any applications seeking permission for religious gatherings in 172/TDA.

The judicial remand stated the accused must be presented before the civil court in Layyah after every 14 days. The local Ahmadiyya community head told Daily Times the police had not taken any action against the local chapters of the banned organisations. The district police officer was not available for comment. DG Khan Central Jail Deputy Superintendent Farrukh Sultan said the accused were kept in separate cells.

URL: www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?pag...7\story_7-2-2009_pg7_21
 
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