KHAIRPUR, Feb 21: Twenty-one workers, including local leaders, of a defunct politico-religious party, Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, were booked on Friday on charges of fanning sectarian hatred.

The party was banned by the government soon after the Sept 11 incident.

The FIR in this regard was lodged by ASI Mehar Shah on behalf of the state at the A-section police station, against Ali Sher, Ghulam Shabbir, Aslam, Abdul Karim, Hafiz Tahir, Abdul Rasheed, Rajab Din, Mohammad Waris and others under Section 295-A PPC (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings or beliefs).

The complainant stated that the SSP workers had instigated their workers to hurl stones against the members of their rival sect during a congregation at the Shams Mosque. However, no arrest was made till the filing of this report.

STRIKE: A shutter-down strike was observed by the people in Kumb town, Kot Diji Taluka, on Friday against the administration, particularly the police, for failing to control the law and order situation.

They blocked the National Highway and Kumb Nawabshah road for an hour.

They told newsmen that thefts, kidnappings, motorcycle-snatching incidents, etc., had become the order of the day, and added that the police did nothing about it.

However, on the assurance of local Nazims, the protesters ended their protest.

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