KOHAT, Feb 16: Police baton-charged thousands of protesters on Wednesday who had brought out processions to condemn publication of blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in some European newspapers.

The biggest rally was held near the Catholic Church which was jointly brought out by businessmen, college students and leaders of religious groups.

The protesters burnt a Danish flag and clashed with police. Dozens of people were injured as a result of severe baton-charge.

The angry mob while passing through the main bazaars damaged the Telenor signboards and threatened to destroy the company’s tower.

The leaders of the Sipah-i-Sahaba also clashed with bazaar union president Sher Khan and roughed him up for asking the protesters to remain peaceful.

STUDENTS: Students of the Kohat University of Science and Technology also held a protest meeting inside the campus after they were stopped by the administration from marching towards bazaar.

Our Nowshera correspondent adds: Complete strike was observed in Nowshera on Wednesday with shopkeepers keeping their shutters down.