SIALKOT: Inspector General of Punjab police said the police have identified several prime suspects and arrested them for interrogation in gruesome killing of a Sri Lankan national who was working as a manager exports at a private factory on Wazirabad Road in Sialkot. Priyantha Kumara was tortured to death by a mob over allegations of blasphemy on Friday and his body was set on fire.
IG Punjab held a press conference in Lahore today and updated the media about arrest of key suspects of Sialkot lynching case.
Meanwhile, President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have dubbed “a day of shame” for horrible killing of Sri Lankan national in Sialkot.
The manager, in charge of production at the factory, was identified as Priyantha Kumara.
District Police Officer Omar Saeed Malik said the workers of the factory beat him severely, leading to his demise.
The employees also vandalised the factory and blocked traffic, according to the police. Upon receiving a report of the incident, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and tried to control the situation.
“After successful talks with the angry group of protesters, traffic was resumed on the road,” the police official said.
‘Definitely very sad and shameful’
President Arif Alvi appreciated the “prompt action” taken by the prime minister and the government.
“The Sialkot incident is definitely very sad and shameful, and not religious in any way whatsoever,” he wrote.
Alvi said that Islam is a religion that “established cannons of deliberative justice rather than mob lynchings”.
The tragic incident has shocked the entire nation because it was not clear whether or not Sri Lankan national committed a blasphemy. Secondly, the matter should have been taken to the court instead of public lynching of export manager in Sialkot.
