LARKANA, Nov 16: Police arrested 16 protesters in Thatta and foiled a rally in Larkana by resorting to baton charge and teargas shelling on people protesting imposition of emergency on the call of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, on Friday.

Heavy police deployment, tear gas shelling and road blockades did not deter Jamait Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) activists from protesting in Larkana.

Police threw teargas shells when Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro, general secretary, Sindh JUI, and activists came out of the Madressah Darul Ishatul Quran on Dodadi Road.

Some shells landed in nearby houses. Rangers and police contingent blocked roads from Naudero and Jiles Bazar forcing protestors to retreat inside.

Situation grew tense when protestors climbed on the roof of Madressah and pelted police with stones.

Shops were closed while police not only beat a driver but also stopped an Edhi Ambulance from removing unconscious protestors to hospital.

Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro, on microphone from inside Madressah, criticised police for its brutal action. However, police did not make any arrests.

Dr Soomro talking to journalists accused police for illegal action as peaceful workers of the JUI and the MMA were protesting emergency and unconstitutional measures of present government.

President Musharraf, he emphasised, had to go and added the MMA stands for restoration of democracy and constitution.

“We don’t believe transparent polls will be held in the presence of General Musharraf as things are moving under the Provisional Constitution Order,” he said.

He said five workers of the JUI - Muhammed Sadiq Jatoi, Assadullah Odhano, Ibrahim Malik, Salamuddain Soomro and Nisar Brohi - were injured and some fainted by shelling.

In Thatta, the MMA workers took out a procession led by Maulana Abdul Wahab Baloch, Maulana Saleh Mohammad and Ismail Gandhro.

Police stormed the protesters near press club and arrested 16 activists.

In Shikarpur, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) activists staged a demonstration outside the Madressa Qadria and blocked the Shikarpur-Sukkur Road after Friday prayers.

The JUI District General Secretary, Maulana Abdul Bari Shaikh, Moulvi Sanaullah Chandio, Dr Ishfaque Shaikh and Moulvi Haji Abdul Fatah Mahar demanded lifting of emergency and restoration of Constitution.

There were no MMA protest rallies in Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Dadu and several other cities of Sindh.