Brick Kiln Owner Causes Injuries To Father Of Former Worker
by Sheraz Khurram Khan
May 21, 2007
KALATHI, SHEIKHUPURA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- A Muslim brick kiln owner inflicted injuries on the father of a Christian laborer who dared working on the land of another Muslim man in the village on May 14 after deciding to quit working as a brick kiln laborer some fifteen days ago.Liaqat Masih, 18 would work as a laborer at a brick kiln in his village Kalathi in the Sheikhupura district.
Masih's daily wage amounted to approximately Rs 300 (US$ 5) however he was paid on weekly basis under an arrangement that he would get half of the week's wages while the rest would go toward his debt retirement.
Liaqat said he realized that despite the fact the half of his week's wages were not paid to him yet the amount he had outstanding with his employer showed no signs of abating.
This prompted the Christian laborer to stop working for the brick kiln owner, Mushtaq. Not realizing in the least that his decision would plunge him into trouble he went to work on the fields of one Muba Virik. His previous Muslim employer arrived there and started manhandling the Christian youth.
When his father, Dita Masih tried to stop Mushtaq from thrashing his son they struck his back with an agricultural implement used for digging.
"They took me hostage. They moved me to a place where they blindfolded me. I was taken to a police station where I was detained for a night", said Liaqat while describing the price he had to pay for deciding against working for Mushtaq.
Liaqat and his father, Dita Masih approached Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) on May 15, as the police had not filed a First Information Report against the accused.
The CLAAS National Director Joseph Francis condemned the incident. He said CLAAS would ensure that the poor Christian youth gets justice.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
