Pakistan hands out cash to Christians who lost homes in rioting over alleged desecration of Quran

By ASIM TANVEER and MUNIR AHMED
Associated Press

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani authorities have handed out $6,800 to each of the nearly 100 Christian families whose homes were destroyed or damaged by a Muslim mob angered over an alleged desecration of the Quran last week. Police say they have arrested a total of 160 rioters in still-ongoing raids. Hundreds of Muslims went on a rampage last Wednesday in the city of Jaranwala over allegations that a Christian man and his friend had desecrated Islam’s holy book. Christians who fled their homes to escape the attackers later returned to a scene of destruction. Many have been living outside since, fearing the burned structures may collapse.