LAHORE, Oct 12: Police on Thursday arrested 27 Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) activists, seven of them women, for violating section 144 that prohibits processions on the Mall Road.

Those arrested were part of a procession taken out to mark the anniversary of the Oct 12, 1999, military takeover of government. The PML-N was observing a black day on Thursday to condemn the overthrow of its government seven years ago.

To disperse the protesters, police used batons which left eight activists injured.

As the protesters did not disperse, they were beaten up and dragged by policemen before being herded into official vans. Later, they were lodged at the Civil Lines police station under section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order law.