Two Christians accused of blasphemy were arrested by police in eastern Pakistan today, two days after a mob of angry Muslims burned down churches, houses and the Christian cemetery in the minority settlement of the Christian community in Jaranwala, in the industrial area of ​​the city of Faisalabad.

According to a Pakistani police spokesman, the two men were arrested for desecrating the Koran.

Read Related: Pakistan: Mob Attacks Churches and Christian Homes – Christians Accused of Blasphemy (Watch Video)

Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan and although no one has yet been executed on this charge.

However, many accused of blasphemy have been lynched by angry mobs.

The Christian community is guarded after the attack

Paramilitary forces have cordoned off and guarded the settlement in the eastern part of the country after the mob vandalized at least one large and four smaller churches and set fire to dozens of homes.

Hundreds of Christians left their homes in the settlement and fled to another area.

Police said they have so far arrested 128 people involved in the attack.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar today said minorities must be protected at all costs, vowing to take action against those involved in the violence.

“There will be no favors. There will be no fear,” he said in the first cabinet meeting to be televised live.

The vandalism lasted ten hours – Residents complain of no police protection

The attack continued for more than 10 hours without intervention by the police on the scene, residents and community leaders said.

Police denied the charge, saying security forces prevented the worst.

Residents said thousands of Muslims led by local clerics carried iron fists, clubs, knives and daggers during the riots.

Displaced families have started to return to their homes, Akmal Bhatti, one of the community’s leaders, told Reuters.

Human rights groups and Washington have called on Pakistani authorities to ensure the protection of minorities.