CALM RETURNS TO MAHALLA FOLLOWING A NIGHT OF CLASHES

Mahalla, 29 Rabiul Akhir 1434/11 March 2013 (MINA) – Shortly following the Port Said trial verdict was issued in Cairo, fierce clashes broke out in Mahalla’s main square, El-Shoan, after protesters attempted to throw Molotov cocktails at Mahalla’s Second Police station prompting police forces to fire tear gas at in an attempt to disperse them.

So far on Sunday morning (10/3) Ahram quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting that the city calmed down.

Overnight clashes between protesters and police in the industrial city of Mahalla, in the Nile Delta governorate of Gharbiya, subsided by 9:30am Sunday (10/3), following a night of scuffles in the center of the city.

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The main El-Bahr road in the city was also blocked by protesters who called for the dismissal of the minister of interior Mohamed Ibrahim and the reform of the ministry.

At least 33 people including 10 police officers were reported injured on Saturday night (9/3).

Saad Mekki, the head of the General Mahalla Hospital, told Al-Ahram Arabic news website that eight had been injured during the night including four officers.

Police and anti-President Morsi protesters have been locked in bloody confrontations for several days in the city, they accused the Muslim Brotherhood too overpowered.

Activists in the city have been calling for a campaign of civil disobedience since the start of March, similar to calls in the cities of Tanta, Mansoura, Ismailia, and Suez.

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Meanwhile, clashes in Cairo on Saturday (9/3) resulted in the death of three protesters, in addition, to the torching of the police club and the Egyptian Football Association in downtown Cairo. (T/P03/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)