KARACHI, Nov 25: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui on Friday defended the police action and use of force against the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) who wanted to stage protest demonstration in front of the Sindh Assembly building and said that the government would not allow holding such “surprise demonstrations”.

Talking to newsmen at the Sindh Assembly building, he said that the present democratic government had never imposed ban on peaceful protest activities and added that the government time and again allowed protest rallies in the province, but surprise demonstrations could not be allowed.

“Such demonstrations, which are held without any prior information can be dangerous and anti-social elements, can take advantage of the situation” he added.

The home minister made these comments when his attention was drawn towards teargas shelling, baton-charge and arrests of the IJT activists by police who wanted to stage a protest demonstration in front of the Sindh Assembly building against the torture on teachers at local educational institutions. —PPI