Bahrain cracks down on protestors, Shura Council members resign

Bahrain cracks down on protestors, Shura Council members resign

MANAMA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain's security force launched acrackdown on anti-government protestors on Wednesday morning bytaking control of the Pearl Roundabout which has been the focalpoint of gathering of protestors since last month.

Several people were injured in the clashes, who were transferredto the health centers. Live gun shots were heard near the state-runSalmaniya Medical Complex, as security forces and GCC (GulfCooperation Council) troops clashed with protestors who gathered atthe hospital.

Communications, mainly phone and mobiles, were jammed, whileinternet speed was also reduced ahead of the crackdown.

In the meanwhile, four members of the Bahraini Shura Councilresigned from their position in protest against the government'scrackdown on protestors.

Former Health Minister Nada Haffadh was the first to announce herresignation on Tuesday night, followed by Mohammed Radhi, MohammedAl Halwachi and Nasser Mubarak.

According to reports in the Gulf Daily News, the members faxedand sent text messages of their resignation to concerned authoritiesin parliament.

Earlier this month, former head of the General Federation ofBahrain Trade Unions Abdulghaffar Abdulhussain stepped down as aShura Council member, following the death of seven anti-governmentprotestors last month during clashes with police.

On Tuesday, one protestor and a policeman were reported deathafter the second crackdown was launched by government followingdeclaring an emergency for three months.

Bahrain has bicameral legislature -- the Chamber of Deputies,elected by the citizens, and the Shura Council, whose members areappointed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Both the Houses have 40members each who serve a four-year term.