Police fire tear gas to break up Tehreek-e-Labaik ' sit-in

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Police used tear gas and watercannon in clashes with stone-throwing Tehreek-e-Labaik on Saturday, as they moved to clear a protest by the Tehreek-e-Labaik who have blocked main routes into Islamabad for more than two weeks. Clashes immediately broke out between members of Tehreek-e-Labaik, and some 4,000 police sent to break up the protest camp. Police used water cannons initially and now are firing tear gas shells at the protesters, dozens of protesters had been taken into custody. Television footage showed smoke billowing and fires burning in the streets as officers in heavy riot gear advanced. Tehreek-e-Labaik blames the minister, Zahid Hamid, for changes to an electoral oath that it says amounts to blasphemy. The government puts the issue down to a clerical error. Fearing violence, the government has blocked several roads with shipping containers to corral the protesters, but that has caused hours-long traffic jams in and around the capital. The government had tried to negotiate an end to the sit-in, fearing violence during a crackdown.