Karachi: Two children were killed today when police and supporters of former Premier Benazir Bhutto traded fire during a demonstration in this southern port city against her house arrest, the first protest deaths in the country since the imposition of emergency on November 3.

The incident occurred as supporters of Bhutto continued protests against her house arrest in parts of Karachi, including Lyari, a stronghold of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP), witnesses said. Two children one aged 11 and the other 12 were killed when the gunfire broke out in the Chakiwara locality in Lyari, they said, adding fired teargas to disperse the demonstrators.

A PPP statement alleged that police resorted to firing on the protesters. It said major towns and villages in Sindh province were shut down and police used force to disperse people protesting the detention of Bhutto and the arrest of hundreds of PPP leaders and workers. The statement said Nawabshah city was closed completely by people to vent their anger against the "collapsing regime" which is opposing the democratic struggle led by Bhutto.

The PPP also alleged that police resorted to firing on its protesters in Sakrand town in which one person was injured. Police detained eight PPP workers, including the injured one, and registered a case against them. In Jamshoro, over 50 PPP leaders, workers and others were arrested, the statement said. The protesters blocked roads, paralysing vehicular traffic while shop-keepers pulled down shutters in protest.

In Chachro, over two dozen PPP workers were arrested following a protest, the statement said. Bhutto has been under house arrest in Lahore since Tuesday to prevent her from leading anti-emergency protests.

Source : PTI