ISLAMABAD, Aug 23: The police baton charged and arrested 12 union leaders of Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) here on the bank’s premises on Friday when they staged a demonstration against the proposed corporatization of the bank.

A spokesman of the bank said at first it was a peaceful demonstration, but as soon as the TV crew reached the venue, the activists turned rowdy. He said there was no justification of this demonstration as the union had already obtained a stay order from the court against the proposed corporatization of the bank.

However, the participants claimed that small farmers would be faced with hardships and many employees would be rendered jobless following the implementation of the plan.

Later, the police released all the leaders.