Security tightened after two killed in Pakistan cartoon protests

PAKISTAN: Security was tight in Pakistan's major cities on Wednesday, one day after two demonstrators died in violent protests against cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

The men were gunned down by security guards in the eastern city of Lahore as around 15,000 demonstrators went on a fiery rampage against McDonald's and Pizza Hut outlets as well as banks and government buildings on Tuesday. Paramilitary troops have been deployed to crack down on mobs still running riot in central Lahore and were sent to stand guard outside the US consulate, officials said.

Pervez Illahi, chief minister of Punjab province of which Lahore is the capital, told a press conference late Tuesday that his government would not stop protests but deal with "miscreants" sternly.

"We will not stop people from protesting against cartoons, but miscreants would now be dealt with an iron hand and we have beefed up security," Illahi said, adding that 200 rioters had been arrested. He said he would meet religious leaders on Wednesday to seek better understanding and coordination to keep the protests peaceful.

Pakistan has witnessed almost daily protests since the row over the Danish cartoons erupted last month, but the rallies have turned angrier in recent days and ahead of a visit by US President George W. Bush in March. Lahore,Wednesday, AFP