ISLAMABAD, 4 April 2006 — Security forces arrested 60 activists of the outlawed Sipah-e-Sahaba group yesterday for trying to disrupt an annual village festival, local police official Dar Ali Khattak told reporters.
The supporters of Sipah-e-Sahaba, a group that has been banned for its alleged involvement in the killing of Shiites, were arrested after a clash with villagers left two people injured, Khattak said.
The festival in the village of Shah Alam, about 25 km west of Dera Ismail Khan, has been celebrated for centuries to herald spring.
On Sunday, the final day of the three-day event, supporters of the group burned several tents and clashed with villagers before police arrived to control the situation, Khattak said. The group warned against holding of the festival because they considered it to be un-Islamic, he said.
Meanwhile, the Daily Times reported yesterday the government might allow the banned group to resume political activities but in a “very low.”
It quoted sources as saying that the government decision came after a recent meeting involving officials from law enforcement agencies, the National Crisis Management Cell and the Sipah-e-Sahaba.
Officials have told Sipah’s leaders that they cannot incite sectarian violence in any way or abuse any person publicly. The Sipah has been renamed Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan.
— Additional input from agencies
