Karak shrine attack: 12 policemen dismissed over negligent, careless behaviour

• 12 cops dismissed for failing to protect shrine of Hindu saint from mob attack in KP's Karak
  
• Karak DPO orders one-year suspension of 33 more policemen
• KP IG says there is no space in the police for negligent officers

KARAK: At least 12 policemen have been fired from their job for showing negligent and irresponsible behaviour in the mob attack on the Hindu shrine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak.

On December 30, an angry mob had attacked and set ablaze the religious site in Karak. Video clips going viral on social media showed hordes of people breaking and desecrating the site while chanting slogans. Smoke could also be seen emitting from the shrine after it was set on fire.

The Karak district police officer ordered the dismissal of 12 policemen and a one-year suspension of 33 other cops on Thursday.

Read more: JUI-F district leader among 350 booked for vandalising Hindu temple in Karak

Terry police SHO Rehmatullah and Banda police ASI Mujeebullah are among those who have been fired.

The Karak DPO said the cops were dismissed in light of the inquiry report into the attack.

The report said the policemen showed negligence, carelessness and irresponsible behaviour during the attack.

The policemen failed to protect the shrine, the Karak DPO said.

No space in police for negligent officers: KP IG Sanaullah Abbasi

KP Inspector-General of Police Sanaullah Abbasi said there is no space in the police department for those showing negligence.

He said he was clear from the start that anyone showing carelessness will be sent home.

Read more: KP police arrest 'key suspect' Maulana Faizullah for involvement in attack on Hindu temple

The KP IG said the protection of the life and property of the public is a top priority of the police.

SC directs rebuilding of temple

On January 5, the Supreme Court directed KP government to rebuild the temple by recovering the amount from Maulvi Sharif — one of the prime suspects behind the demolition.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar heard a suo motu case pertaining to the demolition of the religious site that consists of a temple as well as the shrine of a saint.

Read more: Pakistan to rebuild Hindu temple vandalised by mob

During the hearing, the bench was irked by the KP Police's failure to protect the Hindu temple. Justice Ahsan questioned how the incident could occur with a police picket so close by. "What was your intelligence agency doing when the mob was gathering?"

To this, KP Inspector-General Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said 92 police officials who were on duty, including the area's superintendent and deputy superintendent, have been suspended and at least 109 suspects have been arrested.