GILGIT, June 17: Police arrested leaders of the traders, including president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Javed Hussain, before they could start a planned long march towards Khunjarb Pass on Sunday.

Police raided the points where the traders were staying late on Saturday night at border town of Sust and took them into custody. They were shifted to Gulmit police station.

District Hunza Nagar SP could not be contacted for his comments on the issue despite repeated calls.

However, other police officials said GB Legislative Assembly member Mirza Hussain was negotiating with the police to get all the detained traders freed.

The traders, associated with import and export to China, are demanding a rehabilitation package as they say due to the formation of Atabad lake their businesses have suffered badly.

Speaking to this correspondent by phone from the lock-up, president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Javed Hussain said the government instead of making efforts to release water from the spillway of the lake, was suppressing their voice for their genuine demand.

Meanwhile, business community staged protest demonstrations at many points of the region to express solidarity with the detained leaders and demanded their release as early as possible.