LAHORE, Feb 8: At least 35 people were arrested here on Wednesday for creating a law and order situation during protests against an alleged incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in the South Cantonment area.

During the protests, about 1,000 villagers ransacked on Tuesday night at least 30 vehicles, 10 shops and a petrol pump and set on fire an old cinema. Police said a resident of Gohawa village had reportedly found some worn-out copies of the Holy Quran in a drain and he reported the matter to other villagers.

On Wednesday, a group of villagers again tried to gather on the main road near the village. Lahore operations police chief Aamir Zulfikar Khan appealed to the villagers to remain calm and peaceful.

Police acted against some villagers who tried to block the road and later detained at least 35 of them who were taken to nearby police lock-ups. Police said cases under anti-terrorism law would be registered against the arrested men.