Two suspects confess to lynching, killing Sri Lankan factory manager

SIALKOT, 04 Dec: One of two key suspects confessed to their involvement in the torture and killing of a Sri Lankan factory manager.

During initial interrogation, two suspects named Farhan and Talha admitted their role in the brutal attack.

A day earlier, Sri Lankan national, Priyantha Kumara, working as a manager at a private factory on Wazirabad Road.

He tortured to death by a mob over allegations of blasphemy before burning his body.

Special Assistant to CM Hasaan Khawar said as many as 118 people, including 13 key suspects, arrested in the cold-blooded murder.

Punjab government has presented the initial investigation report in the horrific murder to the prime minister.

The police identified 13 key suspects involved in the attack with the help of the factory managers and shifted them to an unidentified place for further investigations.

Those who incited mob to attack manager also taken into custody by the police, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja said that the provincial government has taken strict action against the suspects involved in the incident. He maintained that the police were investigating all aspects related to this incident. Security of churches and foreign factory workers beefed up in Sialkot and its suburban areas, he added.

Also Read: Sialkot tragedy: Sri Lankan PM ‘confident’ PM Khan will punish

Initial probe report

As per the preliminary report, the conflict emerged when the Priyantha Kumara removed posters reportedly bearing the name of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) from the walls of the factory at 10:28. Meanwhile, the factory owner reached the spot and resolved the issue.

On the occasion, Kumara apologised for the misunderstanding.

After Kumara made an apology, the issue resolved and the factory workers dispersed. Meanwhile, some of the workers incited their colleagues to attack the manager. After a few minutes, a mob attacked the Sri Lankan manager and killed him.

13 security guards were present at the factory when the horrific murder occurred at the factory on Friday. No security guard tried to rescue the Sri Lankan manager when the mob attacked him, said the report.

Kumara’s body dragged outside the factory by the mob after killing him inside the industrial unit, said the police.

Police received a phone call at 11:28 about the incident, said the officials, adding that a police party reached the site within 12 minutes. Later, heavy contingents of police reached the crime scene to arrest the suspects.