Bahrainis Stage Protest at Regime's Crackdown on Sitra


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Bahraini people poured into the streets in different cities of the Persian Gulf country to protest against the ruling regime's punitive measures in Sitra Island, south of the capital.

Participants in rallies held in different regions of Bahrain on Wednesday condemned the Al Khalifa regime's harsh action against Sitra residents.

Bahraini regime forces have been carrying out house-to-house searches following the deaths of two policemen in a bombing on the tiny island.

Authorities have arrested a number of people and placed the country under a security lockdown.

The main opposition movement, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, has condemned the crackdown, saying in a statement, "What is happening in Sitra Island... is an organized collective punishment."

Al-Wefaq also noted that the Al Khalifa regime is depriving the citizens of their basic rights.

"The situation raises concern as it represents a violation of the basic and fundamental humanitarian rights of the citizens," the statement said.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain.

Protesters initially called for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. However, the demand later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.