ASIA/PAKISTAN - "Land grabbing", an instrument of oppression against religious minorities

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - There is another subtle instrument of oppression against religious minorities in Pakistan: "land grabbing". It is based on rent, purchase or expropriation of large plots of land, and in Pakistan this abuse is systematically used by large landowners or powerful businessmen at the expense of farmers, Christians or Hindus. This is what is denounced by organizations such as the "All Pakistan Minorities Alliance" (APMA) and the "Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement" (CLAAS) that defend the rights of minorities.
The two associations refer an example to Fides: last October 5 the Christian village of Chak 34/16-L in the district of Mian Chanuu, in Punjab, was attacked by a group of Muslims who drove the faithful out in order to grab their land . In the raid a Christian was killed and 38 seriously injured, including women and children.
The lawyer, Joseph Francis, Director of CLAAS, after an inspection and investigation, speaks of a "typical case of land grabbing at the expense of religious minorities". The practice is also possible thanks to the complicity of the police, especially in Punjab, who does not intervene to stop this harassment, which impoverish even more poor farmer families, who had a small piece of land which was the only source of livelihood.
"The attackers - said Francis to Fides - drove families out with violence and without mercy, children were beaten and thrown into the street, even using firearms. Saqib Masih, a Christian youth aged 22, who wanted to defend a woman with children, was killed. " The wounded are being treated in civilian hospitals in Mian Channu, Khanewal and Multan. APMA and CLAAS, pointing out the serious problem of "mafia landowners" in provinces such as Punjab and Sindh, ask for an intervention on behalf of the central government and for the protection of minority rights. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/10/2011)