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Scared Christians flee homes in Pak

     Islamabad: Following last week's attack on two churches at Sangla Hills by a frenzied mob of Muslims following accusations that a Christian had desecrated the Quran, the Christian community in the country is a scared lot, with many of them fleeing their homes. An angry mob of more than 1500 protesters had torched two churches, a missionary school building and a students hostel last Friday, reportedly in response to the alleged Quran desecration. Fortunately, no loss of human life was reported. The assault is being described as the worst against the Christian community in Pakistan since 2002, when extremists had led an attack on a church with grenades on Christmas at Chianwala, 45 km from Lahore. An article in the Dawn said that the incident speaks volumes for the bigotry and intolerance that the misguided mullahs often preach against the minority communities in Pakistan. "That the police stood aside and failed to prevent the attack is all the most incomprehensible," it said adding that the communal tension now gripping the area could have been prevented if timely action had been taken by the security authorities. The article said that this was the not the first time when whipped-up mob hysteria had taken such a terrible toll, rather there have been similar instances in the past when imams got mobs to lynch those whom they accused of committing blasphemy. And, the attackers have never been brought to book. Since the latest violence had targeted and shaken the minority community, the Punjab government must act swiftly and with firmness, to bring the perpetrators to justice, the article suggested.