Christians' vehicles set afire in Majitha; situation tense

Tension prevailed in Majitha town in Punjab when irate shopkeepers today set on fire 25 motorcycles of Christians who allegedly vandalised their business establishments during their protest.

Police said a group of about 50 people from the Christian
community were forcing shopkeepers in the town, about 20km from here, to pull down their shutters while they were protesting against an allegedly objectionable picture of Jesus Christ published in some newspapers.

When the protesters started vandalising the shops and smashing the shutters and glow signs, local residents and shopkeepers assembled and attacked them.

Seeing people assembling in large numbers, the agitating men fled the spot leaving behind their motorbikes. The shopkeepers and residents then set afire 25 of the vehicles.

The situation in the Majitha assembly constituency became tense following the incident, police said, adding that a force had been deployed in the town.