SUKKUR: A partial strike was observed in Jacobabad on Sunday on a call given by Sunni Action Committee in protest against a 'disputed' signboard hung by members of a rival sect in the DC Chowk.

Police registered a case against 18 members of Ahl-i-Sunnat Wal Jamaat and arrested nine of them when they were forcing the owner of a restaurant on the DC office road to wind up his business. Police arrested Ghulam Rabbani Banglani, Mohibullah Banglani, Abdul Majeed Banglani, Khadim Hussain, Hamadullah Brohi, Riaz Ali Solangi, Jameel Ahmed Brohi, Ellahi Bux Sadhayo and Israr Ahmed Brohi.

SHO of City police station Mumtaz Ali Sarki lodged an FIR on behalf of state against the 18 people, including district president of Ahl-i-Sunnat Wal Jamaat Hafiz Barkatullah Brohi on charges of blocking roads, creating disturbance and forcing closure of shops.

Some men on motorcycles ransacked a number of shops which were open in different areas and also fired in the air to cause panic and harass people.

The administration has deployed a large number of Rangers personnel and policemen in different localities and at roundabouts to maintain order.