Updated on Saturday, December 02, 2006, 00:00 IST

Islamabad, Dec 02: Police in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province have arrested over 150 workers, including top leaders, of the Balochistan Nationalist Party (BNP) when they were demonstrating against the "atrocities" being committed on people of the region.

BNP's acting President Sajid Tareen, former Speaker Akram Baloch and Yasin Baloch are among those arrested.

Around 36 political workers and leaders, including Abdul Razaq Lango, Sadiq Raisani and Ghulam Rasool Lango, of other political parties of Balochistan, were arrested in Quetta during a protest demonstration in Sariab area yesterday.

"We have registered cases against 36 people for burning buses and damaging and ransacking public and private property in Sariab area," DIG Operation Ghulam Qadir Theboo said.

Police had taken measures to maintain law and order and protect life and property of the people during the strike and protests in the provincial capital, he was quoted as saying by local daily 'Dawn'.

92 workers of various parties have been arrested from various localities of the city in pre-dawn raids.

Police in Turbat arrested 25 activists who were trying to take out a rally in protest against the detention of Sardar Akhtar Mengal and a large number party leaders and workers.

BNP leaders said dozens of party leaders and workers have been arrested from Khuzdar, Bela, Hub, Kalat, Mastung, Gwadar and Turbat.

Bureau Report