MANAMA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Altogether 31 policemen were injured in a major security operation in Duraz village, southern suburb of capital Manama, in which a total of 386 individuals were arrested.
Another five were killed in the operation conducted on Tuesday, who were among the group that attacked policemen.
"A total of 386 individuals were caught in the Duraz operation, some of whom were wanted in serious crimes," Public Security chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan said in a press conference on Wednesday.
"One of the men involved was sentenced to 111 years," he added.
He said police warned all the people gathered in Duraz to leave within 48 hours ahead of the operation, stressing they were not required to be there after the court verdict in Shaikh Isa Qassim's case.
Shaikh Isa Qassim is a top Shiite cleric who was sentenced to one year suspended jail term on charges of money laundering and collecting funds illegally, who resided in Duraz.
"We wanted to conduct the operations earlier but it was postponed until a verdict was announced in the case," he said. "It was important to maintain law and order because the place had become a hotspot for fugitives and outlawed individuals."
Maj. Gen Al Hassan said 31 policemen were injured in the operation during the violent encounters with village protestors, who refused to follow order and used firebombs, knifes and axes.
He stressed some policemen were in critical condition. "Police will continue to be deployed to ensure security situation remains stable in the area."
