QUETTA, Nov 9: Police on Friday arrested many activists of the Pakistan People’s Party in Dera Allahyar of Jaffarabad district. They were protesting against the house-arrest of Benazir Bhutto and crackdown on party leaders and workers.

A large number of PPP workers and supporters gathered on the Quetta-Jacobabad highway. They burnt tyres and erected barricades to block the highway. Traffic remained suspended for two hours.

They marched on the highway and chanted slogans against the government for arresting Ms Bhutto and imposing the state of emergency in the country.

They demanded the release of party leaders and activists.

Police used teargas and canons to disperse the protestors. Many PPP workers were arrested. Barricades were later removed and traffic restored.

Meanwhile, police raided the house of a local PPP leader and arrested him along with other party workers.