THATTA, July 5: Traffic on the National Highway passing through the town remained suspended for about three hours as a large number of MQM activists led by provincial adviser Murtaza Memon staged a sit-in and burnt tyres on both sides of the highway on Monday. The protesters were demanding release of three party activists who had been arrested by Makli police allegedly for manhandling some women and children and barging into their houses.

DPO of Thatta, Dawood Junejo, after some arguments with the adviser, released Ghulam Mohammad and Raza Khushik which defused the situation and restored the highway to traffic.

BOOKED: Mohammad Ismail Soho, father of MQM MPA from Thatta, Heer Soho, his elder brother Siddique Soho, nephew Khalil Soho and seven others were booked in two separate cases registered with Mirpur Bathoro police here on Monday night.