FAISALABAD, Oct 9: Infuriated people pelted Batala Colony police station and its staff with stones as police did not hand them over a man who allegedly threw the Holy Quran in a drain here on Thursday.

Reports said some people caught Rehmat Ali of Amin Park and subjected him to severe torture when he disposed of a copy of the Holy Quran in a furrow. After receipt of information, police reached the spot and shifted the accused to the police station.

Later, scores of Batala Colony and adjoining areas inhabitants, including students of nearby Sabria Sirajia School, besieged the police station and pelted its building with stones. They were also carrying placards and clubs, demanding handing over of the alleged blasphemer to them. They also threw stones on police employees who approached the protesters for negotiations. As a result a constable of the Elite Force sustained injuries.

The protesters also burnt tyres on main road and threw traffic out of gear for nearly two hours. The siege continued for four hours. Police resorted to teargas and baton-charged the people in a bid to disperse them.

Some eyewitnesses said the police also resorted to aerial firing.

Batala Colony supervisory police officer DSP Shahid Butt said a case had been registered under Section 295-B and investigation was under way. He said police were not sure whether the accused was insane or not.