CHARSADDA
In a harrowing incident of mob justice, hundreds of people burned alive a disabled person who had earlier killed a young man in his neighborhood.
The incident took place in Paladheri area of Charsadda district on Friday night, police said.
According to police, the disabled person identified as Salman alias Malang was involved in the killing of his neighbor Shahsawar over a dispute involving pigeons.
Charsadda police spokesperson Safiullah said that Salman had a disagreement with the youth for quite some time and shot him dead on Friday.
The news spread like a forest fire in the neighbourhood and relatives of the young man – and soon a frenzied mob gathered outside the disabled person baying for blood.
Police said that the relative of the slain Salman had also placed a dead body on the road as a protest before attacking and setting the house on fire.
However, police rescued the rest of the family while his mother who was sheltering at the roof was thrown down by the mob. The woman is said to be critically wounded and hospitalized.
The mob later burnt alive the accused and when police personnel tried to rescue him, they also beat up the cops.
Berhamand Khan, SHO city police station said that three cops also sustained injuries in the incident and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
He said that police have arrested 16 suspects in connection with the violence including the father of slain Shahsawar. The video of the charged mob could be seen where people gathered and suddenly torched the house. Widely shared on social media platforms, hundreds of people chanting slogans and some people could be heard others to set the house on fire.
KP chief minister Mahmood Khan took notice of the issue and directed the provincial police chief Moazaam Jan Ansari to investigate the incident and arrest the accused. Mr Khan said that no one will be allowed to take law into their hands.
