KARACHl: Over two dozen leaders and workers of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) were on Saturday taken into custody in Lyari when law enforcers used force to foil their rally, organisers and police said.

City SSP Arif Aziz told Dawn that 25 protesters, including women, were detained as they were `involved in an anti-Pakistan activity`.

He denied that the police tortured any protester.

However, the BYC said in a statement that law enforcement agencies had launched a `violent crackdown on peaceful Baloch citizens` and participants of an awareness march.

The BYC had planned a campaign in Lyari to mobilise the masses for their January 25 event in Dalbandin.

However, when the BYC members and participants arrived at Miran Naka near Lyari, the police resorted to `baton charge and arrests`.

`Several BYC members were illegally arrested, including Lala Wahab Baloch, the central deputy organiser, Sammi Deen Baloch, Fouzia Baloch and Amna Baloch, the BYC said, adding: `This incident is part of a broader pattern of repression against the Baloch people and human rights defenders.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded immediate release of BYC protesters including women.

In a statement, the rights body also asked the authorities to withdraw charges against peaceful protesters taken into custody by the Sindh police.