Arrest all culprits, demand protesting Muslims in Paonta

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 12

Demanding stern action, including hanging, for the youth responsible for burning religious texts at a mosque at Maliyon village in Paonta Sahib, thousands of Muslims today took out a protest march at Paonta Sahib.

Sloganeering against the accused youth, Sajid Ali, was also witnessed outside the SDM Office where the leaders said that more people were involved in the crime and the police should arrest all culprits within 10 days.

They also warned the authorities that if all culprits were not arrested within the stipulated time they would intensify their agitation.

They said one person alone could not have committed this crime.

The leaders also announced to hold another meeting on December 22 at Jama Masjid where they would discuss the situation and decide their future course of action.

The Muslim leaders said a person indulging in such a condemnable crime can neither be a Muslim nor a Hindu and he should be given severe punishment. They marched from the local Jama Masjid mosque and the main streets of the town up to the SDM’s Office.