KHAIRPUR, April 29: Seven leaders of the trading community courted arrest in Khairpur on Sunday in protest against insecurity and suspension of business activities during the recent sectarian strife and strikes which followed.

President of Anjuman-i-Tajiran Qutbuddin Shaikh, general secretary Bashir Ahmed Shaikh, president of Kiryana Merchants Association Haji Yar Mohammad, president of Sarrafa Bazaar Association Altaf Memon, Abdullah Shah, Saifullah and Muzaffar Channa went to the A-Section police station to court arrest.

While they waited for senior police officers a large number of their colleagues went on a strike in the town and gathered outside the police station.

Qutbuddin Shaikh and Yar Mohammad said that traders had suffered heavy losses because of repeated strikes and other disturbances.

They said the district administration had assured them of installing close-circuit cameras in markets and on main roundabouts but no action had so far been taken.

They were also assured of compensation for losses suffered during strikes but no one received any payment. Traders suffered losses when their property was set ablaze during the sectarian violence, they said.

SSP Irfan Ali Baloch and Rangers officials met the traders’ leaders and later told journalists that their talks had been successful.

Qutubuddin Shaikh said that most of their demands had been accepted and it had been agreed that they would get compensation for losses. A Rangers’ picket would be set up at Panj Gulla Chowk and at places recommended by traders, he said.