TAXILA: Charged crowd belonging to Shia community blocked Taxila-Hattar road on Sunday evening to protest the arrest of some Shia leaders.

Taxila Police booked dozens of Shia leaders and arrested three members of Shia Ulema Council identified as Tasawar Shah, Mubarik Shah and Tabassum Shah under section 341, 188, 153-A and 16 MPO.

Besides, nine other leaders were nominated in the FIR for taking out a mourning procession on chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).

The arrest of these Shia leaders and booking under different un bail able sections sent a wave of unrest among the Shia community who gathered at TaxilaHattar road near local Imambargah and blocked the road for more than three hours.

Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary, Shia Ulema Council Mohsin Naqvi said they had been taking out mourning procession in the area for the last many years.

He said the police move was aimed at disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the area.

Later local administration and police officials reached there and after successful negotiations the protesters dispersed and the trafHcrestored.

Sub divisional Police Officer Saleem Khattak told Dawn that according to the agreement no mourning procession would be taken out without prior intimation and permission of the local administration.

The step has been taken in view of prevailing law and order situation in the country.

The SDPO said the nominated Shia leaders had taken out the procession in Chak Muzzafrabad which was not a designated route. Besides, they did not inform the local police for security arrangements. He said the accused were booked as per rules.