Saturday, February 26 2005 18:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal and 60 others, including 32 party MLAs, were arrested today (Feb 26, 2005) for defying prohibitory orders in the city but were released after two hours.

Badal and his supporters, were arrested this afternoon while they were marching towards the Punjab Governor House to stage a one-hour dharna against the alleged booth-capturing by ruling Congress in the February 23 Ajnala bypoll.

Earlier, police tried to stop them a kilometre and half ahead of the Raj Bhawan by using water cannons and lathis causing minor injuries to a few.

They were later taken to a nearby police station to be produced before a magistrate in the evening.

However, they were released after two hours with police stating no reason for the sudden development.

Immediately after his release, Badal gave a call to his party workers to get ready for a "sustained battle against repression."