Conversion of Hindu girl stirs trouble in Pakistan

Quetta, May 20: A teenage Hindu girl's alleged conversion to Islam sparked serious tension in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan, residents said on Saturday.

A temple and several Hindu shops were attacked on Friday in the troubled town of Bela in Lesbela district.The violence erupted after 13-year old Rajvanti Kumari appeared in a court at Bela on Thursday, to refute claims by two Muslim women school teachers that the girl had converted to Islam in their presence.

Local Muslim religious groups refused to accept Kumari's denial before the district judge, and alleging the girl's relatives had forced her to renounce the conversion.

Kumari's parents had fled with the girl to neighbouring Sindh province when the dispute started last week, but they were brought back by the district administration and attended court under tight security.

Local officials said that following the court appearance, the family had been moved back to Sindh under a police escort to live with relatives.Tara Chand, a former Hindu member of Baluchistan Provincial Assembly, said Hindu families in Lasbela were feeling "very insecure" and demanded adequate protection for themselves and their properties.

Chand, who arrived here from Bela late on Friday, said nearly half the 10,000 Hindu population in Lesbela district had migrated to Sindh because of security fears.

Government officials said a heavy force of paramilitary troops and police had been deployed and the situation was completely under control.An estimated 1,00,000 Hindus live in Baluchistan, while the majority of others come from the small minority reside in Sindh.
 

Back                          Top