AMRITSAR: Amidst protests and call for strike by Islamist organisations, a

on Tuesday directed minor

Mehak Kumari alias Nanki Kumari alias Aliza to be sent to a child protection centre and told police to take action against her

Ali Raza Solangi.

According to sources Mehak alias Aliza was presented in a fortified court as police had made elaborate security arrangements in wake of the strike and protest call given by various organisations, including Jamait -e-Ullama Islam, and possible clash between the two communities.

Jacobabad’s additional session judge II Ghulam Ali Kansiro ordered that Mehak should be temporary shifted to nearest child protection institution from Dar-ul-Aman in Larkana, where she was so far staying. The court also directed local police to ensure the girl’s safety.

Holding Ali Raza accused of violating section 3 and 4 of The Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013, the court directed the Larkana deputy inspector general of police, and Jacobabad senior superintendent of police to take due action against him and those involved in the child marriage.

Earlier, a medical board constituted by the court had reported Mehak to be between 15 and 16 years of age.

Reacting on the court’s decision general secretary of All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat Ravi Dawani said, “This is a most welcome order by the court to diffuse the present tense atmosphere created in the Jacobabad.” If the court had given order in either community’s favour, it would have evoked reaction and further inflamed sentiments, he added.

Sources said most of market places remained closed in Jacobabad on Tuesday in response to the shutter down call by Islamist organisations.

In her first statement, Mehak had stated that she had embraced Islam and married Ali Raza out of her own will but in the second statement, which was video recorded, she called it a mistake and desired to be sent back to her family and be allowed to practice Hinduism. It evoked sharp criticism from Islamist organisations who maintained that after embracing Islam, Mehak could’t reconvert to Hinduism. They even declared her ‘murtad’ (apostate), and according to Sharia law wajib-ul-qatal (liable for death).