LAHORE, Pakistan: Family members of Pakistanis killed in an Indian train explosion are protesting an Indian court’s acquittal of four Hindus charged with triggering the blasts 12 years ago, which killed 68 passengers.
At a rally in the eastern city of Lahore on Monday, relatives chanted: “We want justice,” and called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to take the matter to the International Court of Justice.
Last week, an Indian court ruled investigators had not conclusively proved that the accused were guilty.
In 2007, two coaches of the Samjhauta Express, or Friendship Express, were engulfed in flames while traveling from New Delhi to Atari, the last station before the Pakistan border. Most of those killed were Pakistani citizens.
Thousands of travelers use this train service each year.
Pakistanis protest acquittal of 4 in India train attack
Pakistanis protest acquittal of 4 in India train attack
- In 2007, two coaches of the Samjhauta Express, or Friendship Express, were engulfed in flames while traveling from New Delhi to Atari
Tanzania president remorseful over Internet shutdown on election day
- President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday expressed “sympathy” to diplomats and foreign nationals living in the country
- Violence broke out on election day and went on for days as the Internet was shut down
DODOMA, Tanzania: Tanzania’s president has, for the first time since the disputed October election, commented on a six-day Internet shutdown as the country went through its worst postelection violence.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday expressed “sympathy” to diplomats and foreign nationals living in the country, saying the government would strive to ensure there is never a repeat of the same.
Hassan won the October election with more than 97 percent of the vote after candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from running and the country’s main opposition leader remained in prison facing treason charges.
Violence broke out on election day and went on for days as the Internet was shut down amid a heavy police crackdown that left hundreds of people dead, according to rights groups.
Hassan blamed the violence on foreigners and pardoned hundreds of young people who had been arrested, saying they were acting under peer pressure.
Speaking to ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organizations on Thursday in the capital, Dodoma, she sought to reassure envoys of their safety, saying the government would remain vigilant to prevent a repeat of the disruption.
“To our partners in the diplomatic community and foreigners residing here in Tanzania, I express my sincere sympathy for the uncertainty, service restrictions and Internet shutdowns you experienced,” she said.
Hassan defended her administration, saying the measures were taken to preserve constitutional order and protect citizens.
“I assure you that we will remain vigilant to ensure your safety and prevent any recurrence of such experiences,” the president told diplomats on Thursday.
Tanzania has, since the October elections, established a commission of inquiry to look into the violence that left hundreds dead and property worth millions of shillings destroyed in a country that has enjoyed relative calm for decades.
Foreign observers said the election failed to meet democratic standards because key opposition figures were barred.
