A fierce clash took place between police and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Monday, October 26, 2009, in Bannu when the police tried to stop the activist from leading a protest rally against America. The police arrested nearly 3 dozen Jamaat-e-Islami activists for violating Section 144, which has been enforced recently, and which bans public gathering and/or display of weapons, for security reasons.

The JI workers were about to lead a protest rally with the watchword ‘Go America Go!’ and they gathered at the Lakki Gate at about 2 pm. The police raided the venue and ordered the procession off, up on which a clash took place between the police and the activists. The police fired aerial shots and used teargas to disperse the activists who engaged in hand-to-hand scuffle with the police and also hurled chairs at them.

Several people were wounded during the scuffle and the police arrested 33 activists for violating Section 144. JI Ameer and Munawar Hassan and NWFP head Sirajul Haq were also stopped from entering Bannu before the clash took place. They then blamed the ANP-led provincial government for the incident and said that ANP was imposing its agenda as happens in Martial Law.