By IRNA
Islamabad : Police fired tea gas and used batons to disperse a rally of opposition groups in the southwestern city of Quetta on Saturday, which are calling for elections boycott.
The All Parties Democratic Alliance (APDM) had organized the rally to ask the people not to cast vote in the February 16 elections.
The police arrested scores of APDM activists.
The demonstrators also pelted stones at the police.
The anti-terrorism squad and police surrounded the demonstrators at the city’s Mannan Chowk and tried to stop the rally. The police used batons when the demonstrators refused to disperse.
Shots were also heard in different parts of the city, creating panic on the main Jinnah Road, witnesses said.
Several people were injured in the stampede, who were taken to the main Jinnah Civil hospital.
The people shut shops and offices at the main business center.
Around 4,000 people attended the anti-polls rally and the police used batons when the local leaders were delivering speeches.
The APDM also organized rally at Zhob city but the participants dispersed peacefully after the leaders delivered speeches.