LAHORE, Feb 14: A complete, unprecedented shutterdown amid rioting was observed in the city on Tuesday in protest against publication of blasphemous caricatures by newspapers in Denmark and some other western countries.

Even medical stores and eateries, which usually remain open during strikes, were closed. Public transport remained thin after a number of buses were damaged and burnt to ashes in Moghulpura and in the Punjab University area.

Some mohallah shops were open in the morning but these were soon shut down after reports of rioting became known. Rumours that groups of baton-wielding youngsters were roaming the streets to forcibly close down businesses abounded.

The people faced problems in reaching hospitals and medical stores, as, initially, even ambulances were not allowed to ply on The Mall, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, GT Road and other thoroughfares.

Tyres were burnt at a large number of intersections, blocking traffic. Motorists who dared to pass were attacked and their vehicles were damaged.

The situation was worse in the city’s centre, where the police had barricaded various approach roads to The Mall in a bid to check more miscreants entering the rioting zone.

Two youngsters were killed and 20 more sustained injuries in the rioting in which Punjab Assembly building, three American fast-food restaurants, a five-star hotel, several petrol pumps and shops were vandalised or set on fire.

Scores of cars and motorcycles were also set ablaze.

However, in Gulberg, the Cantonment and Defence no incident of lawlessness occurred.

Many small rallies were also taken out in almost each locality to condemn the blasphemous publication of caricatures. Teenagers and children as young as under 10 also took part in these non-violent rallies.

There was a curfew-like situation on Multan Road between 10am and 5pm, where a complete shutterdown was in force and only a few vehicles ventured on to the otherwise busy thoroughfare.

Even medical stores and bakeries in Gulshan-i-Ravi’s market, Samanabad’s main and mini-markets also remained closed.

Barber shops, bread vendors, general stores and other retailers in localities along the thoroughfare from Chauburji to Multan Chungi also kept their shutters down for most part of the day.

Tyres and empty wooden boxes were burnt at Multan Chungi, Thokar Niaz Beg, Kharak, Scheme Mor, Yateem Khana, Samanabad Mor, Chauburji intersection, Mozang Chungi, Samanabad main road up to second roundabout and on the road connecting Multan Road with Ferozepur Road along the drain.

Staff at petrol pumps and CNG filing stations — from the MAO College to Multan Chungi — used benches, chairs and ropes to block access to their installations till 6pm.

It was like a closed holiday at the automobile body-building and other workshops along Bund Road.