KARACHI - Police on Monday arrested at least six employees of the Sindh Irrigation Department who were trying to enter the Red Zone during a protest demonstration in the provincial capital.

At least five employees of the irrigation department were detained by the police when they allegedly violated Section 144, which means a ban on any protest in the Red Zone.

Scores of irrigation department employees had gathered outside the Karachi Press Club and they later moved to the Sindh Assembly building to record their protest. Police refused to allow them to march towards the assembly building and a clash ensued. Heavy contingents of police baton-charged the protesters and then used water cannons to disperse them.

Police arrested at least six protesters and shifted them to the police station. They managed to disperse the protesters before they reached the Sindh Assembly. Protesters raised slogans against the Sindh government and demanded that the authorities allocate quota for the children of the employees who died during the service. They also urged the government to promote irrigation department employees on time and give them allowances according to the law.