HYDERABAD, April 21: Armed activists of People’s Students Federation here on Monday fired in the air outside the Hyderabad press club and stormed the club as they accompanied PSF Mirpurkhas chapter leader Junaid Buland, who was released from the central jail in an attempted murder case after having been granted bail by Sindh High Court Hyderabad circuit bench.

It led to a protest by journalists who didn’t attend his press conference which was cancelled by club management.

Buland was scheduled to hold a press conference at the local press club soon after his release. Escorted by a police mobile, he was brought to the club in a cavalcade and amidst protection of over one dozen PSF activists, who brazenly displayed sophisticated weapons like shot guns, repeaters, Kalashinkovs and TT pistols.

The armed men entered the press club forcibly despite refusal by club’s staff that no more than five persons are allowed at the time of press conference with any leader. They defied it. However, some journalists resisted them and morally forced them to get out of the club premises. As they left the club, they resorted to heavy aerial shooting, scaring other protesters who were present there to vent their anger. However, no one was hurt.

Even Hyderabad chapter PPP leader Amanulalh Siyal expressed his indignation over the attitude of PSF activists and said he would report it to the party leadership for disciplinary action. Although Junaid Buland tried to dissociate himself from these armed activists, he later left with the same bunch of gunmen. He, however, apologised for acts of his colleagues.

Our Mirpurkhas correspondent adds: Markets and bazaars were closed as panic spread in the city after hundreds of SPSF and PPP activists resorted to aerial firing. People were celebrating the release of SPSF leader Junaid Buland.

Heavy firing forced the people to remain indoors with police nowhere to be seen. People condemned the PPP and SPSF activists for harassing people and forcing shops to close.