A Catholic priest today dismissed local media reports that a Christian youth was murdered during a pilgrimage to the country’s Mariam shrine.

Father Ashraf Gill, head of security for this year’s annual event, said allegations that Sunil Masih, 25, was kidnapped and killed by Muslims while in a procession to the shrine in Mariamabad village, were untrue.

“Accidents can happen anywhere,” said Father Gill, who added that drug use may have contributed to the young man’s death.

Local media outlets reported on September 8 that Masih was killed and run over by a truck to make his death appear accidental, Fr. Gill said.

Police and local authorities have also dismissed reports that the young Christian was murdered, saying road accidents were common during the pilgrimage, which marks the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

An estimated 1.5 million people attended this year’s celebration, according to local officials.

“Many pilgrims use drugs on the way while traveling either on foot or bicycle,” Fr Gill said. “We urge them to say rosaries and prayers, and avoid clamor on the roads.”

He added that another rumor had been circulating that six young Catholics from Rawalpindi had disappeared en route to Mariamabad village.

Catechist Aslam Peter said security guards at the Marian shrine had confiscated several marijuana-filled cigarettes while checking teens inside the shrine compound.

Ten catechists supervised 250 youths and 30 women who were selected to assist with security during the pilgrimage

Pentecostal Pastor Javed Masih, who has been organizing drug awareness programs at the pilgrimage site for five years, said drug use among young pilgrims has been a growing problem.

“Seventy percent of pilgrims use marijuana and bootleg liquor. Every morning we start visiting tents of the teenage pilgrims, brief them about the harmful effects of drug usage and urge them to visit rehabilitation centers,” he said.

Masih and his team also distribute anti-drug brochures and audio cassettes.

The campaign is part of their “Heaven cares, Pakistan” organization, which runs the “No Drugs” Awareness Center in Faisalabad, Punjab province.

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