Report on Joseph Colony Carnage

On March 08, 2013 near about 04:30PM I along with my two sons namely Charles Vicky Gill and Alfred Vicky Gill went to Joseph Colony and while we were on the way to Joseph Colony and reached near the colony and noticed about the company of hundreds of people outside the colony. The moment I reached near the mob attacked on my car as well as started beating me. Secondly, my son Charles Rickey Gill was driving the car and my second son Alfred Vicky Gill was with me on the back seat. The mob also gave severe beatings to my Desecration of Holy Cross sons but by the Grace of God both became successful in rescuing themselves from the religiously motivated violence and runaway from the place. The attack was unexpected and I was rescued by the Superintendent of Police and I was taken to the Police Station. My car was damaged completely and at present parked outside the Police Station and in the custody of the Police. Later, I was informed about an unpleasant alleged incident of blasphemy and the police informed me that alleged accused Sawan Masih has passed derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. The police got registered Blasphemy case FIR 112/13 offence under section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) registered against Sawan Masih. The Station House Officer (SHO) of the Badami Bagh Police Station requested me for the immediate arrest of Sawan Masih. I

Bishop Akram Gill along with his damaged car outside the police station

was also informed by the police that the alleged accused Sawan Masih has been absconded and if he was not arrested till the morning the angry Muslims may harm the whole Christian vicinity of Joseph Colony. I immediately started contacting with his relatives and friends. During my search I noticed that the police demanding the Christian residents to vacate the Joseph Colony and secondly the police arrested Chaman Masih, Father of accused Sawan Masih. Background of Sawan Masih Sawan Masih alias Boodi aged 35 son of Chaman Masih is a resident of Joseph Colony, Noor Road, Badami BaghLahore. He is a Sweeper (sanitary worker) by profession and is a father of three children. Before the alleged incident of blasphemy he was residing with his parents as in joint family. His house locates at the front row of the vicinity of Joseph Colony and he has bad habits of drinking alcohol and is known as drinker. The relationship between Sawan and the complainant namely Shahid Imran (barber by Bishop Akram Gill and Joseph Francis talking on the profession) was cordial with each other blasphemy matter while accused Sawan Masih clearly and their friendship was known to visible in the photo everyone in the locality. They were good friends since last 8 years and both, together drinking alcohol. Background blasphemy incident On March 05, 2013 (Tuesday) near about 07:00PM both Sawan Masih and Shahid Imran were drinking and all of sudden they started quarreling with each other and a scuffle took place between them on the trivial matter. When the neighboring Christian residents noticed their brawl and exchange of abusive language, they intervened and for the time being the uncertain quarrel was arbitrated by the fellow residents. Shahid Imran took grudge in his An Ariel view of the vandalized Joseph Colony heart and got annoyed from Sawan Masih. The complainant Shahid Imran also felt ashamed that how a Chura (neglected Christian in the society) can be superior against Muslims. The complainant Shahid Imran wanted
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to give a lesson to Sawan Masih and in this connection he cunningly made a plan with Shafiq Ahmed alias Cheko (newly converted from Christianity into Islam) and implicated Sawan Masih in the false case of blasphemy. Later Shafiq Ahmed and Shahid Imran informed local prayer leaders of the area mosques about the false & forged incident of blasphemy. Shafiq Ahmed alias Cheko also known as drug dealer as well as drinker and is fond of gambling in the area. The first unpleasant incident of religiously motivated violence On the first day of attack I was noticed that the prayer leader broadcast false information through the loudspeakers of the mosque. The prayer leader alleged that the accused Sawan Masih has committed blasphemy against prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Following the broadcast thousands of Muslims residents gathered and marched towards Joseph Colony chanted slogans and started throwing stones at the houses of Christians. The countless protestors demanded immediate arrest of Sawan Masih and also attacked on the houses of Angry Muslims setting the households belonging to Christians on fire Christians. The angry protesters also started looting and crushing the households of Christians. In the meanwhile the police reached at the spot and the protester escaped from the place of occurrence. The attack results so many losses including breakdown of snooker table into burning and crushing of households etc of Sawan Masih. Secondly, the police warned the Christians to vacate their houses immediately. The innocent Christians including women, and Children immediately evacuated their houses wearing single cloths, leavening behind their houses & possessions. Registration of Blasphemy case FIR and the arrest of alleged accused Sawan Masih Later, the complainant filed an application and later got registered a blasphemy case FIR No. 112/13 offence 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
Chaman Masih & Billo Bibi parents of Sawan Masih narrating the facts behind alleged incident of blasphemy to Bishop Akram Gill and Mr. Nadeem Anthony Advocate (An activist for religious liberties)

registered against Sawan Masih at the Police Station, Badami Bagh, Lahore. The alleged accused of blasphemy Sawan Masih was hiding himself from the violent attack whereas the police arrested his father Chaman Masih and his father was also badly beaten by the police. After the struggle of several hours near about I became successful to know the whereabouts of accused Sawan Masih and with the coordination of Mr. Joseph Francis (National Director CLAAS) I handed over the custody of Sawan Masih to the police. His father totally denied the allegations and after the arrest of accused Sawan Masih, I along with Charles Rickey Gill and Alfred Vicky Gill Bishop Akram Gill along with Sohail Johnsaon and Khalid Shahzad briefing to Media and recorded his protest went to the police station and got released Chaman Masih father of Sawan Masih. The Station House Officer (SHO) assured me for the protection of the residents of Joseph Colony. Unjustified attack and violence in the name of religion On March 09, 2013 near about 09:30 fully charged mob of almost 3,000 religious zealots gathered around Joseph Colony, led by Shafiq Ahmed, who was in search of the accused Sawan Masih. The heavy contingent of police was deployed near the colony and later, the mob in the presence of the police entered in the colony and started looting and above 200 hundred houses into fires, two churches along with a chapel vandalized and approximately around 500 hundred bibles were burnt, the furniture and other belonging of the school was also burnt.

Christian women expressing their grief and crying over inhuman violence

Bishop Akram Gill, Nadeem Anthony and others are expressing their grief

The Christian houses, eight shops, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, electricity meters, gas meters, iron rods used in the roofs were melted town on the floor, furniture, trunks, crockery and many more burnt totally. Moreover, in the churches photos of Jesus Christ along with Holy cross were burnt, Holy bibles were burnt and desecrated and the respect of the Church was disrespected.

Bishop Akram Gill showing the burnt pages of Holy Bible

Bishop Akram Gill requesting the angry to remain peaceful

The episode of unspeakable violence in the name of religion began at 09:30 in the morning and did not conclude till the afternoon. Interesting point was that the large numbers of police were present on the spot and did not avert the angry protesters for further damage. They executed this exercise freely and without any fears for five hours and the police did not intervene nor stopped the violent mob. Some Christian youth, timely save themselves as they fled from the scene. Whereas the police ensured us that if the alleged accused will be arrested and made clear to the Christian leadership that the police will not be able to rescue the Christians. Despite all this, the protesters continued to claim that they would not let the Christian families return until Sawans

Bishop Akram Gill praising the word of God whiles Charles Rickey Gill and others hearing the same

Bishop Akram Gill assisting the Sisters of Convent of Jesus and Mary

arrest. It was clearly shown that the police failed to inform about the arrest and registration of blasphemy case FIR against Sawan Masih to the Muslims.

Bishop Akram Gill interviewing to the BBC Bishop Akram Gill with Pastor Saleem Anayat and others

In my point of view the process of registration of blasphemy case FIR is illegal because the laws clearly stating that before the registration of Blasphemy case the senior police officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police at first investigate the blasphemy matter and later will register the blasphemy case FIR. In the case of Sawan Masih, the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) got registered the blasphemy case on the pressure of Muslims.

Bishop Akram Gill briefing the facts to the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain and Senator Mushaid Hussain

Bishop Akram Gill briefing the facts to Mr. Liaqat Baloch (Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami)

The failure of the police administration was founded during throughout my findings. In this connection on March 11, 2013 the Christians in Pakistan staged peaceful protest demonstration throughout Pakistan and at some places the police unjustly stopped the protesters and clashes
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resulted between police and the Christian protesters. The Christian protesters arrested and later released. The Christians are protesting from the day one against unjust and unacceptable violence. At present the government is completing the repairing of their houses and relief camps has been established in which the affected Christians are living and some welfare organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations and the government are providing food, clothing and medicine etc. The government has also distributed cheques of PAK Rs. 500,000/- (US$5102 approximately) to the each of the families. Prime question of the protection of Chaman Masih and his family The moment the Christian residents of Joseph Colony are under grave threats of life from the religious extremists. Mr. Chaman Masih, father of accused Sawan Masih along with his children is under threats and also receiving threats by the radicals. As servant of God it is my primary duty to protect the lost sheep of God and in this connection I am providing shelter and protection to Chaman Masih and his family and really concerned about them. My pastor Sunil and his family residents of Joseph Colony are also receiving life threats from the Muslim A team from Friends of Christ visited Joseph Colony and Extremists. Moreover, I along with prayed for the victim families my family also receiving life threats from the extremist because I am criticizing the attackers on media and since from the day one spending my whole day in Joseph Colony to monitor the day to miseries of innocent Christians. Whereas on March 10, 2013 I got registered a blasphemy case FIR No.115/13 offence under section 295-A, 427, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against the mob at the police station Badami Bagh, Lahore. The investigation is underway while the Chief Justice of Pakistan noticed the inhuman incident of burning and looting of Joseph Colony and at present the matter is under court proceedings of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. If you need further clarification and my assistance please let me know. In Solidarity Bishop Akram Gill, Emmanuel Church-The Evangelical Friends of Christ Team (International) Tel: +92 42 37284367 Cell:+92 300 9427660 & +92 322 4455529 Email:akram4jesus88@gmail.com
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