March 12, 2006	Sunday	Safar 11, 1427

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GUJRANWALA, March 11: Police on Saturday arrested a dozen Habib Bank Limited sacked staffers and union leaders who were protesting against the dismissal of 90 low-paid employees.

Reports said the HBL sacked about 2,400 of its employees, including 90 low-paid workers of Gujranwala, and offered them employment in private companies on three-year contract basis. The dismissed staffers along with union leaders gathered outside the regional office and chanted slogans against the bank administration. They rejected the offer and pledged to continue protest till their reinstatement.

On the complaint of the bank administration, the police have arrested about a dozen protesters, including union leaders.

ARRESTED: Nowshera Virkan police on Saturday arrested a union council nazim candidate along with his 12 supporters on charges of displaying arms and threatening voters during the polling process.

Reports said Tariq Mehmood Cheema along with his 12 armed supporters came to the polling station and allegedly threatened the people to cast votes to him. On receiving information, the police raided there and arrested Mr Cheema, his supporters and recovered weapons from their possession.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Muhammad Mansha Baath was declared nazim. Mr Baath was backed by ruling party MNA Bilal Ejaz and former MPAs Khalid Pervaiz Virk and Abdur Rehman Gujar.

The seat had fallen vacant after Azhar Nahra was elected as Nowshera Virkan tehsil nazim.

KITE FLYERS HELD: The district police on Saturday arrested several kite flyers and shopkeepers.

Some of them have been identified as M Navid, Muhammad Usman, Anser Ali, Muhammad Zubair, Zeeshan, Amir, Akram and Wajid Aslam. Police teams are conducting raids for more arrests.