KARACHI, March 18: A group of fishermen staged a peaceful rally here on Monday demanding immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the Mekran coast firing incident which resulted in the death of a Karachi-based fisherman.

Holding placards and banners, the protesters comprising youth and elderly persons engaged in different sectors of fisheries assembled at Karachi Press Club and shouted slogans in support of their demands.

They also called for measures to stop Balochistan fisheries officials from subjecting Karachi-based trawlers to extortion.

They said despite the fact they had been issued licences, after paying licence fee, by the Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, they were being forced to pay bhatta(protection money).

Protesters also distributed a leaflet on behalf of the Fishermen Action Committee, criticizing the government for ignoring the protest going on for the past 18 days.

The rally was led by the President of the Action Committee, Habibullah Khan Niazi. He said the peaceful protest would continue till the acceptance of their demands.