LAHORE, Feb 14: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi announced on Tuesday night stern action against those who indulged in violence and damaged private and public property.

“By damaging property they sabotaged the sacred cause for which they were allowed to take out processions on The Mall,” he told a news conference here.

“The violence took place due to the irresponsible conduct of religious leaders who had promised a peaceful protest on Monday. I am going to meet leading ulema on Wednesday (today) to ask what they had done on Tuesday.”

The chief minister said those involved in the violence would be dealt with an iron hand so that no-one could dare tarnish the image of Islam in future.

Rangers had been called to assist police in maintaining law and order in Lahore and the situation was under control right now, he said, adding the demonstrations in other cities of the province remained more or less peaceful.

Condemning the violence in strongest words, the chief minister said it was for a noble cause that the ulema had been permitted to take out rally on The Mall where no such activity had been allowed during the past three years.

“But those who burnt cars and motorcycles, banks, offices and the Punjab Assembly, tried to loot banks and offices have damaged the cause. We will not spare them,” he said.

The chief minister said during the violence over 70 motorcycles, 14 cars, banks and business houses were burnt. Attempts were made to loot banks and business concerns and four ambulances rescuing the injured and a fire-brigade truck sent to extinguish fire were also burnt.

He said indeed all Muslims in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world were protesting against the publication of blasphemous cartoons because these had hurt their feelings. People of all parties, including the ruling PML and even those belonging to minorities, were too condemning it.

The chief minister said the ulema leading the rally had reached an agreement with Law Minister Raja Basharat on Monday that the protest would be peaceful. They took the responsibility of keeping it peaceful and that was why the government had allowed them to take out the rally on The Mall.

“But despite the agreement, the city witnessed violence during which attempts were made to loot banks and two people were killed as a result of firing by security guards. For the first time in the province’s history the building of Punjab Assembly was burnt,” he regretted.

The chief minister said one should realize that the damaged property belonged to Pakistan. “Don’t we know how to lodge a protest.”

Pervaiz Elahi said it was the most violent protest during which police were also fired upon. “Four constables and the SSP operations sustained injuries.”

Replying to questions, he said police kept at a distance from protesters because of the responsibility taken by the ulema. Police did reach wherever it was required.

The chief minister said he would tell the press as to how many people involved in the violence had been arrested by Wednesday.

When asked whether the government would again allow any protest on The Mall, he said it would be decided after Wednesday’s meeting with ulema. The government would review the overall situation and also consider the violation of the earlier agreement by the ulema.

He said those involved in the violence could be identified in a day or two.

The chief minister said the bank guards had opened fire in self-defence and to stop looting. The government would nevertheless hold an inquiry into the killing, he said.

When pointed out that demonstrators were also raising slogans against the government, he said everyone had the right to air his feelings.

The chief minister said one could see whether agencies were involved in the violence through video shots taken by the media. The government, he said, would compensate establishments which had sustained losses.

Talking to reporters earlier in the day, the chief minister said that those who set ablaze buildings, including the assembly’s, were enemies of the country, religion and society. “They will be treated like enemies of the country.”

He said the government had decided with the organizers of the demonstration the route on which they would march. But ‘irresponsible elements’ penetrated in their ranks and took control of the situation.

He answered in the positive when asked if the ruling party would still take part in the March 3 strike.

Muslims belonging to all schools of thought would take part in the March 3 protest, the chief minister said. However, he made it clear that the ruling party would distance itself from the troublemakers.