November 16, 2007	Friday	Ziqa’ad 05, 1428

HYDERABAD, Nov 15: Police stormed the Hyderabad Press Club to arrest the journalists who were observing token hunger strike at the main gate of the press club on Thursday.

The journalists also put up resistance against the police action.

However, police arrested Hyderabad Press Club President Khalid Khokhar and member of the governing body Iqbal Mallah from outside the club.

Wearing black armbands, the journalists observed one hour token hunger strike on the club’s main gate.

They raised slogans against curbs on media and the Pemra Ordinance. Supervising Police Officer Cantonment Zulfiqar Pathan ordered arrest of Khalid Khokhar and Iqbal Mallah.

Police broke into the press club’s premises to arrest more journalists but they resisted the attempt.

The SPO was told that in all major cities, journalists were observing hunger strikes in front of press clubs and they were only following them without creating any law and order situation.

Later, both the office-bearers were released.

It was the first time that police has taken action inside the press club, adds PPI.

Later a large number of journalists shouted slogans against imposition of emergency and restrictions on media.