LAHORE: Angry protestors burnt down two cinemas and broke shop windows after some 50 copies of the Quran were reportedly recovered from a sewage drain near Bhatta Chowk on Tuesday. Garbage collectors reportedly spotted the holy books floating in the Rohi Nalla, which is in South Cantt police jurisdiction. Residents of the nearby Gowaha village then joined them in collecting the books. Anger at the incident increased and the growing crowd marched along Ghazi Road towards Bhatta Chowk. They attacked passing cars. A man named Rashid said the windscreen of his car was shattered. An Elite Force patrolling unit briefly stalled the mob by a baton-charge and firing in the air, but the protestors did not back down. More than a thousand people carrying wooden sticks chanted slogans and swore to kill those responsible for the incident. They ransacked shops and burnt tyres, blocking Bhatta Chowk. The mob also burnt down Shalimar Cinema and Nadeem Cinema and tried to attack a local cable channel operator.
| Well, I think somebody should riot over this barbaric desecration of movie houses. You know how attached us Merkins are to our movies. |
Cantt Superintendent of Police Muhammad Ali Nikokara said that it was not clear exactly how many copies of the Quran had been dumped, as many people had taken home copies that they discovered. He said whoever was responsible for the act would be punished, but no arrest has been made so far. He said a formal case would be lodged once tempers cooled. Jamia Naimia principal Dr Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi told Daily Times he believed that “anti-state element” were trying to create trouble between Christians and Muslims.
| Gee. Golly. Shucks. Y'think? Wotta coincidence, 50 copies of the Koran being dumped in the sewer, just when everybody's all incensed at the cartoons. |