Following an incident at the Police Headquarters Wednesday in which a suspect was slapped by a civilian, the Interior Ministry has condemned the assault.
The Ministry, in a strongly-worded statement, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to probe the incident to establish how a civilian accessed the victim of the assault while he was in custody.
The Ministry directed also that police officers who might have facilitated the entry of the suspects behind the assault be disciplined for the breach.
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned the incendiary statements which led to the situation, adding that no allegation about remarks which touch the sensibilities of faiths should warrant the assault as reported.
Suspects in police custody, the statement went on, are protected by the state.
“The Ministry is particularly concerned that the incident followed statements attributed to persons on both sides of a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
“The Ministry condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” it pointed out.
Earlier, the police had issued a statement about efforts to locate and arrest the suspect said to have slapped the man in custody, to assist with investigations into the incident.
The matter attracted public attention and sparked discussions about the treatment of persons in police custody.
A video circulating on social media showed the pastor, who was reportedly restrained with handcuffs, being approached by a man during a confrontation. The alleged assault has drawn reactions from religious leaders, civil society groups, and members of the public, with many calling for the matter to be handled through the appropriate legal process.
The Police Service has assured the public that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any person found to have violated the law will face the necessary legal procedures.
Meanwhile, authorities have appealed for calm and urged the public to avoid actions or comments that could create tension between religious communities. The incident has renewed calls for dialogue, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law.
The man suspected to have slapped the pastor reported himself to the police.