MANAMA - Bahrain's Defense Forces (BDF) imposed Wednesday curfew from 4 pm (1300 GMT) to 4 am (0100 GMT) in several areas of the capital, state-run BNA news agency reported.

The curfew covers the area from Bahrain's Seef bridge to the Pearl Square, the focal point of weeks-long protests, and the financial district to the diplomatic area.

The Bahrain News Agency reported that people should coordinate with check points to sustain movement. "Gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and sit-ins are not allowed anywhere in the Kingdom until the situation is back to normal," according to the agency's report. Legal action will be taken against people who violate this rule.

The official spokesperson of the Interior minister Brigadier Tariq Al-Hassan told Bahrain Channel 55, that the security forces went to the Pearl roundabout and removed barricades set up by protestors, who were given sufficient time to evacuate.

He said the protestors set tents on fire and blew up gas cylinders. The security forces encountered scattered gunshots from various locations surrounding the roundabout. Two policemen died during the operation.

The culprits have been arrested and currently the roundabout is under control of security forces with team of forensic taking legal procedures, he said.

Abdulmajeed Al Awadhi, Chairman of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) told the official state TV that rioters had damaged lampposts in several areas. "We advise people especially children to stay away from these lampposts, whose covers are open. This is dangerous and our team is working round the clock to repair the damages," he said.

The announcement came after the youth movement called for a protest at 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT).

The February 14 group said in a mass text message that the protest would begin at 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) in Budaya Street, north of the capital.

A Bahraini defense official earlier warned Bahrainis against public gatherings on Wednesday.

The official gave the warning in a live appearance on state TV, in which he announced that security forces had driven pro- democracy demonstrators out of Manama's Pearl Square, the focal point of weeks-long protests.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa declared on Tuesday the state of emergency in the tiny Gulf nation for three months to deal with unrest and protests which swept the country several weeks ago.