One killed, several injured as protests against Youhanabad tragedy turn violent
LAHORE: The Christian community continued protests on Monday in various cities of Punjab and Sindh as demonstrations on streets intensified into vandalism and assaults on passers-by.
Twin blasts targeted the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church during Sunday mass in Youhanabad area of the provincial capital, killing at least 15 people including two policemen and injuring at least 70 others.
One person
LAHORE: The Christian community continued protests on Monday in various cities of Punjab and Sindh as demonstrations on streets intensified into vandalism and assaults on passers-by.
Twin blasts targeted the Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church during Sunday mass in Youhanabad area of the provincial capital, killing at least 15 people including two policemen and injuring at least 70 others.
One person was killed, while two others injured as an alarmed woman driving a vehicle crashed into the three protestors who were part of a larger group blocking Ferozepur road in Lahore.
Earlier today, the metro bus service in Lahore was also suspended from Gajumata to Nishtar Colony as protestors attacked a metro bus and station.
All missionary schools remained closed as prayer services and funerals for victims were under way.
Rangers troops called in to control angry protesters
Meanwhile, troops of Rangers paramilitary force have reached to disperse angry protesters, blocking roads and burning tyres in Ferozpur Road area of the Punjab capital.
The Rangers are reportedly using water-cannon to disperse the protesters.
The DCO says that the contingents of paramilitary force will remain deployed until normalcy prevails in the area.
Punjab govt forms JIT to probe church blasts
Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah held negotiations with the representatives of protesters while a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was also formed by the government to probe yesterday’s deadly explosions targeting Christian churches in Lahore.
Protests spread across the country
Protest demonstrations are being staged in different cities and towns across the country to denounce the Lahore blasts.
Members of the civil society and minority Christian community are holding protest rallies in Multan, Bahawalpur, Mandi Bahaud Din, Gojra and Faisalabad among parts of Punjab.
Protesters reportedly burnt tyres and blocked main roads and highways in these cities among other parts of the country including in few towns of Sindh and Balochistan.
Protests in Faisalabad also turned violent as tyres were burnt and demonstrators attacked a rickshaw and its driver.