Sargodha, June 3: A Christian man who became the target of an angry mob in Punjab’s Sargodha district over alleged blasphemy last month, succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Nazir Masih, 70, died at the CMH Hospital in Rawalpindi where he was under treatment for the past nine days since the attack on him on May 25.
Masih had two surgeries but he couldn’t survive the injuries inflicted on his head by the mob, police said.
According to the post mortem report, Masih died due to severe injuries to the head
According to the spokesperson for the Regional Police Officer (RPO), Masih was severely beaten by an enraged crowd on May 25. His house was damaged, and his shoe factory was set on fire during the incident.
The spokesperson stated that despite receiving medical treatment in the hospital for nine days, Masih could not survive.
The violence erupted when residents of Mujahid Colony, incensed by rumours of alleged blasphemy, launched violent protests. An enraged mob vandalised the house of Masih and set his shoe factory on fire.
Police arrested over a dozen individuals for severely beating Masih, who was rescued by the authorities and taken to a hospital in serious condition.
Two separate cases were registered at the Urban Area police station. One case of desecration was filed against Masih, while another case of violence, attempted murder, and property damage was lodged against 16 identified individuals and approximately 500 unidentified persons.
A nephew of the victim has denied allegations of desecration.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the situation in Sargodha and urged the Punjab Police and district administration to bring the perpetrators to justice immediately.
