LAHORE, March 12: The Badami Bagh tragedy has left 1,321 Christians including 660 children homeless, says an official report.

“The victims were residing in 114 houses. Most houses were double-storey or triple-storey having three to five rooms each,” the report compiled by the City District Government of Lahore says.

While discussing background of the area, the report says the colony land is the property of the defunct Lahore Municipal Corporation. In the past, local Christians constructed a total of 114 units including two churches and seven shops.

“The CDGL has ensured transparent distribution of compensatory amount of Rs140 million among 280 families (Rs500,000 each),” claims the report.

It says that soon after the incident, a seven-member team conducted a survey of the colony after which another survey team comprising Iqbal Marshal (ex-councillor), Sohail Masih, Riaz Masih, Pervaiz Rahim, Khalid Masih, Boby Barnat and Muhammad Jahangir, all residents was formed to verify the facts.

The CDGL found 114 units completely or partially damaged during the attack. A 10-bed hospital and a relief and medical camp has been established there to facilitate the residents, it says.

The report further says the CDGL in collaboration with the local NGOs, individuals, groups, volunteers and philanthropists has placed 298 tent camps including 174 at Joseph Colony and 124 at a nearby government school in order to temporarily house the victims. Besides, the National Disaster Management Authority has also provided several tent camps.

An official said the LDA and the Communication and Works Department were reconstructing houses. He said the officials would complete construction within 15 days.

An NGO worker, Waheed told Dawn that since the children were the most important segment of society, his organisation was providing all possible support to them. Several people including Vikram Masih, Shahbaz Masih and Nazir Masih confirmed receipt of compensatory cheques from the government.