DERA ISMAIL KHAN, July 20: Almost 250 Christians, living in St. Thomas’ Church compound since 1949, were left homeless when the Cantt Executive Office, demolished their houses here on Friday morning.

According to sources, the Cantt Executive Officer, Dr Sajjad accompanied by DSP, Yousuf, and a contingent police arrived at St.Thomas’ Church at 11.00am and began demolishing the house in spite of their hue and cry.

Dozens of women and children, scared of the police, took shelter inside the church building.

Members of the local government, Rafiq Masih and Kishwar Lal, also begged the officials there to allow them some more time. But it didn’t help.

Reportedly, the Cantt Executive Officer had served a notice upon these residents vide his office No. CDS 86/DIK dated 03.07.2002 to vacate the place, but had verbally assured them that they would not be harmed.

It was due to this assurance, a senior member of the community Mian Choudhri said, they had not tried for a stay order from the court.

Sources said that some journalists, who tried to go near the demolished site, were threatened of dire consequences; Dr Sajjad even snatched a press photographer’s camera and pulled the film out.