Saturday, Jul 30, 2011
Gulf News
Muscat: About a thousand protesters were engaged in a standoff with security forces in Sohar after they were prevented from marching on Tariff Area after Maghrib prayers at the Shaikh Khalifa Mosque.
“About 1,000 people have gathered with some coming from outside Sohar after a call given on social media to take out march demanding release of all detainees from the Industrial Port town,” Sultan Al Sa’adi, an activist, told Gulf News from Sohar.
He said the protesters, who were stopped near the service road in Tariff Area, are staying put around Safeer Mall.
In writing
“The police wanted us to choose our representatives and send them for talks, but people refused saying that they had sent their demands in writing,” Al Sa’adi said, adding that the the protesters were demanding the release of all detainees.
Al Sa’adi said the protesters were determined stand their ground until authorities act on their demands.
Until midnight, protesters had refused to go home.
No untoward incident was reported at press time.
Protests in Oman started on January 17 and gradually spread to Salalah, Sur, Ibri and Sohar.
Demonstrations turned violent at the end of February when police fired tear gas shells and rubber as well as live bullets.
Three people have died so far and over a dozen have been sentenced to prison for blocking roads, assaulting public servants, disturbing public life and other charges.
After a crackdown on May 13, demonstrations died down but seemed to have picked again earlier this month after Sohar activists were sentenced to jail.
By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
© Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
Gulf News
Muscat: About a thousand protesters were engaged in a standoff with security forces in Sohar after they were prevented from marching on Tariff Area after Maghrib prayers at the Shaikh Khalifa Mosque.
“About 1,000 people have gathered with some coming from outside Sohar after a call given on social media to take out march demanding release of all detainees from the Industrial Port town,” Sultan Al Sa’adi, an activist, told Gulf News from Sohar.
He said the protesters, who were stopped near the service road in Tariff Area, are staying put around Safeer Mall.
In writing
“The police wanted us to choose our representatives and send them for talks, but people refused saying that they had sent their demands in writing,” Al Sa’adi said, adding that the the protesters were demanding the release of all detainees.
Al Sa’adi said the protesters were determined stand their ground until authorities act on their demands.
Until midnight, protesters had refused to go home.
No untoward incident was reported at press time.
Protests in Oman started on January 17 and gradually spread to Salalah, Sur, Ibri and Sohar.
Demonstrations turned violent at the end of February when police fired tear gas shells and rubber as well as live bullets.
Three people have died so far and over a dozen have been sentenced to prison for blocking roads, assaulting public servants, disturbing public life and other charges.
After a crackdown on May 13, demonstrations died down but seemed to have picked again earlier this month after Sohar activists were sentenced to jail.
By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
© Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
