SWABI, Nov 7: Leaders of different political parties have gone ‘underground’ as police continue to conduct raids for their arrests.

Police on Wednesday patrolled entry and exit points of Swabi and checked vehicles entering and leaving the district.

Sources said 18 political leaders and other people had been arrested in the district. Names of the arrested people and their affiliation could not be ascertained.

Some key leaders who have gone underground are: former NWFP education minister Maulana Fazal Ali, Awami National Party district president Rehmanullah, Swabi Bar Association president Iftikhar Khan and general secretary Changaiz Khan and Pakistan Muslim League (N) district president Iftikhar Ahmad Khan.

It was learnt that president of People’s Lawyers Forum’s, Swabi tehsil chapter, Javid Iqbal Inqilabi, was arrested soon after a meeting of lawyers. Chota Lahor Bar Association president Mohammad Sayar was arrested on Tuesday night.

At their meeting, the lawyers condemned the imposition of emergency and sacking of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

They vowed to continue their struggle till the restoration of the Constitution and independence of the judiciary.

They said five of the 20 arrested people were lawyers and there were arrest warrants for 15 to 20 other lawyers.

Students of colleges of the district on Tuesday observed a black day. They demanded restoration of the Constitution and lifting of emergency.

The All Parties Democratic Movement plans to hold a protest demonstration at the Kernel Sher Chowk on Friday.

APDM leaders said arrangements for the demonstration had been completed. However, the sources said, the alliance might be stopped from holding the protest.