Death threats against Christian leaders in Sangla Hill
Sangla Hill (AsiaNews) "If you don't accept our deal in two days, then get ready to die," said a man who identified himself as a member of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an extremist Islamic group, in an attempt to intimidate Christian community leaders in Sangla Hill.
On November 12, Christian properties were attacked by about 2,000 Muslims who had been instigated by Islamic religious leaders after blasphemy allegations were made against a Christian. The mob seriously damaged three churches, the homes of two Protestant clergymen, a nunnery, a girls' hostel and two schools.
Saqib Sohail Batti, general councillor in Sangla Hill, told AsiaNews that he; Fr Samson Dilawar, the local catholic parish priest; and Rev Tajmal Perves received an identical phone call.
"All three of us got a phone call on December 27 from the same man using the same phone number," he said. "We informed the police who traced the call to a Faislabad public call office".
"Making a deal with them might mean peace, but the culprits would then still be free. If we give in, they won't be punished for what they did," he added.
"We are really scared and are held up in our homes," he explained.
"Although the police was warned [about possible violence] even before November 12, they did nothing to prevent the extremists' attack," he said.
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