Over 100 arrested, probe ordered in attacks on churches and homes of Christians in Pakistan

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Christian community in Punjab province even as the government on Thursday ordered a high-level probe into the riots over blasphemy allegations. Scores of churches and homes belonging to Christians in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad district, some 130 km from the provincial capital, were burnt down on Wednesday by a mob enraged over reports that two Christians had desecrated the Quran. According to the Punjab government, over 100 people, including activists of the extremist group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), have been taken into custody for attacking homes and churches of Christians over the alleged blasphemy.

«Punjab police have arrested over 100 miscreants involved in attacks on churches and houses of the minority community in Jaranwala. A case has been registered against 600 suspects under terrorism and blasphemy charges,» Punjab caretaker information minister Amir Mir said in a statement on Thursday. He said peace has been restored in the area and a heavy contingent of police and Rangers has been deployed outside churches and homes of the minority Christian community.

Mir said police foiled many attempts aimed at damaging various buildings. «The chief minister has ordered a high-level investigation into the matter and those involved in this heinous crime will not escape justice,» he said. The district administration has imposed section 144 for seven days, prohibiting all kinds of assembly, except for events organised by the government in Jaranwala.

All educational institutions, markets and business establishments remained closed in Jaranwala on Thursday. Christian community leaders in Faisalabad on Thursday assessed the damage to their holy places and houses in Jaranwala. A total of 21 churches have either been