Christians protest over deadly church attacks

Christians protest over deadly church attacks
Updated on

Summary Violent protests were witnessed in some areas in Punjab.

LAHORE ( Web Desk / AFP) - Some 5,000 Christians rallied in the Pakistani city of Lahore Monday, blocking roads and shouting anti-government slogans in a second day of protests against twin Taliban suicide bombings of churches that killed 15 people and injured 77 others.


Christian women mourn as they gather at a church damaged from a suicide bombing attack in Lahore


Sunday`s attacks in the Youhanabad neighbourhood of the eastern city sparked mob violence in which two other suspected militants were killed, with Christians smashing up cars and a bus station in a rare show of anger from the minority group.

More than 1,000 police were deployed in the neighbourhood Monday, where many protesters had armed themselves with clubs, but the situation remained calm.


Policemen stand alert near Metro Bus station


"We are on the roads to get justice, we want protection," 50-year-old protester Maqbool Bhatti told AFP.

Bhatti, a government employee, said authorities had failed to take adequate security measures.

"There was no proper security on Sunday, the government should protect all churches," he said.

Asher Kanwal, 30, added: "Christians are protesting because they are worried of their future."

On the other hand, missionary schools and colleges in all the major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta remained closed while security of all the churches was tightened.

Lawyers are observing black day on the appeal of Sindh Bar Council. A protest rally was also held from Jinnah Hospital to Karachi Press Club due to which traffic at Shahra-e-Faisal was disrupted. Rally Participants also chanted anti-government slogans.


Christians chant slogans in protest against attack on two churches in Lahore


In Faisalabad, agitated protestors gathered at Millat Chowk. They also subjected a rickshaw driver to torture and vandalized public property.

Some protestors also blocked Sargodha Road and Kamalpur Interchange.

In Gujranwala, Christian community members blocked GT Road with burning tyres to register their protest.

Protest rallies were also held in Daska, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Jacoabad and other areas.

Sunday s attacks were the worst on the community since a devastating double suicide-bombing in the northwestern city of Peshawar in September 2013 killed 82 people.

Christians volunteers established their own security check-points on Sunday, tying ropes across the roads leading into Youhanabad and patting down worshippers who had come to offer prayers for the dead ahead of funerals planned for Tuesday.

Some carried placards with slogans such as "Why do you kill us?", "Stop killing Christians," and "Let us live".

Special prayers were meanwhile planned at churches throughout the country, as well as candle-light vigils by Christian groups and members of civil society.