ISLAMABAD, July 31: Dozens of villagers of Siri Saral, who approached the district and sessions judge Islamabad on Wednesday to seek justice, were taken into custody by the police.

Witnesses said a large number of policemen were present in the district court premises when some people from Siri Saral village arrived at the court.

The assistant inspector general of police (AIG) Islamabad, Rao Mohammad Iqbal Khan, said: “The people had not been called by the sessions judge, therefore, they were not allowed to enter the court.”

He further said about 18 people had been taken into custody. It is yet to be decided whether they would be formally arrested or released, the AIG said.

Fear has once again gripped Siri Saral after heavy contingent of Islamabad police, with four armoured vehicles and other riot equipment, arrived at the village on Wednesday evening to launch a full scale evacuation plan on Thursday.

Besides, the armoured vehicles, a large quantity of teargas shells have been provided to the police for Thursday’s operation.