Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan: April 8, 2010. (PCP) Rasheed Masih alias Sheeda about 41, resident of Mian Channu was tortured to murder by four Muslims on 9th March 2010. Munir Masih Asi Younger brother of Rasheed Masih has registered FIR no. 96/10 offence under section 302,148,149 PPC and 381-A/379 PPC against Mohammad Asif, Ghulam Rasul, Amjid Ali (Ghulam’s younger son) and Mohammad Kashif in the police station city Mian Channu on 10th March 2010. On 6th April Mr. Rohail Samuel a human rights activist approached CLAAS for legal help and assistance in Rasheed Murder case. Background: Talking to CLAAS Mr. Samuel told that Rasheed Masih s/o Late Bashir Masih has five school going children Kashif Masih 17-year-old, Raza Rasheed 16-year-old, Maria Rasheed 15-year-old, Aksa Rasheed 13-year-old and Nimra 11-year-old. He had his own business of potatoes and was known as Sheeda Alu-wala. He used to purchase Potatoes from the farmers of nearby villages and sell them in different cities in vegetable markets. He also had very good relations with farmers’ in surrounding villages. Incident Happened: Mr. Samuel told CLAAS that incident took place when Rasheed Masih along with his elder son Kashif Rasheed went to purchase Potatoes from the nearby village on 9th March; he loaded a mini truck and was ready to go to the Market Mian Channu. On the way he received a phone call from a farmer Mohammad Ghulam Rasul as he wanted to sell his potatoes also. Rasheed sent Kashif to Market with the truck and told him that he will also be there with another truck of potatoes. When Rasheed reached at Dera (a dwelling in the farms) of Ghulam Rasul at Duban De Panee a village in Mian Channu; he found three other people sitting there. Ghulam Rasul started to quarrel with Rasheed on a very trivial matter; Rasheed did not want any dispute with Ghulam as he had very good relations with them due to his business dealing. Ghulam and Asif began to abuse Rasheed and started using vulgar language for his wife and other Christian women. In the answer Rasheed Masih also got aggressive with them and used the same words for their wives and other Muslim women. For which they became furious and started to beat Rasheed Masih severely with iron rods. When he became unconscious and near to death they took him to some other village Kothi Nan Sung and wanted to throw him at some unknown place. When they reached at Kothi Nan Sung and were passing through the fields, some local people saw Mohammad Asif and Ghulam Rasul taking unconscious Rasheed Masih on the motor bike. Someone informed Munir Masih Asi (younger brother of Rasheed) that Mohammad Asif and Ghulam Rasul were taking his brother Rasheed on motor bike as he was in very critical condition. Munir rushed to the village Kothi Nan Sung for his brother and also informed to the local police about this incident. Police also reached the scene and they started to search Rasheed Masih along with Asif and Ghulam but could not find any one. Police arrested one of them Amjid Ali who was on the way and investigate about Asif and Ghulm but he showed non-involvement with them. Amjid took Police and Munir to Asif’s house where they found that Asif got changed his dress before police arrived at his house. Police questioned Asif about Rasheed Masih, he told the police that they have thrown him on the way in the front of their house and he also admitted that they have killed Rasheed Masih. Munir rushed for Rasheed at the place where Asif told him that they have thrown him at the front of their house. When he reached near to Rasheed he called him loudly. When Munir went near his brother he told him that Asif, Ghulm,Amjid and Kashif tortured him severely while police was also preasent there. He also told Munir that he is near to die due to the severe torture and could not gather courage to recover. Police recorded his statement and took him to the district hospital Mian Channu but on the way he passed away. According to the postmortem report Rasheed Masih was murdered with severe torture. There were 24 deep injuries on the vital parts of the body, and access of bleeding became the cause of death. After the postmortem of the dead body of Rasheed police was totally discontent with Munir and others who were looking after this case. Munir wanted to get registered FIR against culprits but the police did not entertain him. On this situation all local Christians were on the main road Mian Channu and blocked the road. They protested for Rasheed Masih’s brutal murder and against the Police officials for not taking legal notice against culprits. Therefore on 10th March FIR was registered against Mohammad Asif, Ghulam Rasul, Amjid Ali (Ghulam’s younger son) and Mohammad Kashif in the police station city Mian Channu. Three culprits were arrested by police but the main accused who killed Rasheed for his personal interest is still out of the police custody. Ghulam Rasul, Amjid Ali and Kashif were under investigation with (DSP) district Superintendent of Police district Mian Channu, being on physical remand. On 31th March these culprits were produced before the magistrate and sent to district jail Mian Channu. It is worth mentioning here that Mohammad Asif is much influenced person and has relationship with police officials therefore he said to Ghulam and others if they will show him innocent in this case he will take responsibility of all legal expenses in the case. Therefore Ghulam, Amjid and Kashif did not disclose his involvement in Rasheed’s murder during investigation with DSP, while he is the main accused in this crime. Hence, DSP has declared in the investigation report that Mohammad Asif is an innocent in this case. Munir Asi and Rohail Samuel has discussed this matter with CLAAS on 6th April 2010. They requested CLAAS for legal Aid and Assistance regarding this case. CLAAS report: Going through this murder report CLAAS has reached to the conclusion that Rasheed Masih was murdered because he had a good business as he was a rich man in Mian Channu. Farmers in the villages prefer to do business with Rasheed Masih due to his honesty and attitude towards people as many Muslim women also worked under him for loading potatoes in trucks. Due to his own business Rasheed had very good relations with business men, politicians and police officials as well. He was an influential person and did not care about Muslim farmers and always suggested other Christians not to work for Muslims but to do their own small business. Mohammad Asif, Ghulam Rasul and others were jealous from his business and wanted to hold that business instead of Rasheed Masih. They wanted to get him out of sight, they just wanted to grab his business. It was very obvious on them that people have trust on Rasheed and if he will be there they cannot run their business. There are many other examples of these kinds of incidents taking place where Muslims are jealous because of the businesses of Christians as well as their properties and for other personal grudges they are killing Christians. They are grabbing church properties, Christian individuals’ properties and businesses and also involving them in blasphemy and other cases which come under Pakistan’s black laws. As you all are aware about situation of minorities in Pakistan, despite of decreasing these incidents; there are growing attacks on minorities especially on Christians colonies and individuals in all Pakistan which needs to be end but we cannot hope for good future of Christian community and other minorities in Pakistan if this situation persists. We would like to ask you to keep the Christian and other religious minorities in your prayers that may our Father in heaven protect His children by the blood of His only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Reported by