ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Police on Thursday raided homes and arrested 31 activists of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, a day before the group planned to hold nationwide protests against blasphemous cartoon, a spokesman for the alliance said.

Police said only one person was detained.

The reported arrests were made in Islamabad and the roundup is likely to incite protesters who planned to gather after midday prayers on Friday, said Shahid Shamsi of the MMA.

“With this type of provocation, it becomes difficult for us to keep our people peaceful,” Mr Shamsi said.

Sikandar Hayat, a senior Islamabad police officer, said only one MMA activist was arrested. He added that there was a ban on rallies in the capital and anyone trying to violate it would be arrested.—AP