Gangs of anti-government thugs are terrorising innocent civilians by hurling rocks at passing cars, said a top government official.

Incidents were reported on the Budaiya Highway, in Khamis and in Barbar, said National Unity Assembly high committee member and former MP Nasser Al Fadhala.

He urged the government to take steps to protect the public, warning that failure to do so could lead to people taking matters in their own hands.

'They (anti-government thugs) don't let us live our lives,' he said. 'They are using force and violence towards others and throwing stones at civilians' cars.'

He said it was vital for police to respond, warning that community tensions would increase if nothing was done.

'Their (protesters') leaders say to them go ahead, you are in a revolution, you can do anything you want,' he said.

'It's a very bad problem. On our side, people say if the government doesn't do anything, we will have to do something.'

A Bahraini Sunni living in A'ali said while driving through the village on Friday night, 20 masked youths were waiting to throw bricks and rocks at his car.

'I was driving from my house to Saar when I saw 20 youths, masked, with bricks and rocks just waiting for me to pass by so they can start throwing them,' he said. 'I had to swallow my pride and turn back because they are attacking civilians. I just want everything to go back pre-February 14. Also, on Friday, a friend's sister had a Molotov cocktail thrown at her car.'

An Interior Ministry official confirmed police had received complaints that residents in certain areas were being targeted and police numbers had been increased as a result.

'We have received many complaints and we have increased the number of police in that area,' they said. – TradeArabia News Service