A mob of 3,000 angry Muslims torched 2 cinemas, smashed shop windows and clashed with police after 50 copies of the Quran were reportedly recovered from a sewage drain:
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.
Police used a mild baton charge to restore order rather than the more forceful version of baton charge.
