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Pakistani police arrest Hindu vet on charges of blasphemy

Muslim worshippers arrive to observes "Itikaf," that requires staying in seclusion in a mosque to read the Quran, and pray, during the last ten days of the Islamic fasting on month of Ramadan, at a mosque, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, May 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani police say they have arrested a veterinarian from the country's tiny minority Hindu community on charges of desecrating Islam's holy book in southern Sindh province.

Local police chief Zahid Leghari said on Tuesday that Ramesh Kumar was arrested the day before on blasphemy charges, after a cleric in the district of Mirpur Kash accused him of desecrating pages of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

He says an angry mob damaged three Hindu shops on Monday but the situation later calmed down. Police also registered a case against those behind the rioting.

Under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting Islam can be sentenced to death.

Domestic and international human rights groups say these laws are often misused to settle personal scores and target minorities.

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