The Pakistan government has registered 19 cases against the radical clerics of the Lal Masjid in the capital, which is spearheading a campaign to impose Islamic law in the country.

The chief clerics of the mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz and Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi and three other prominent figures in the mosque's administration have been named as accused in 17 of these cases. The cases have been registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other laws.

Hundreds of unidentified students of Lal Masjid's two madrassas -- Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Fareedia, madrasasa of the girls and boys have also been named as accused.

Aabpara police station in Islamabad has registered 17 of these cases and Kohsar and Bhara Kahu police stations one each.

The first case was registered with Aabpara police when Jamia Hafsa students occupied a children's library adjacent to the madrassa on January 20. The latest was registered with the Kohsar police on May 21 for the kidnapping of three police officials, who the madrassa students later released, Daily Times reported.

Aabpara Police Station House Officer Rasheed Niazi said that they had obtained arrest warrants and were "searching for the accused". He said the police could raid Lal Masjid if senior officials of city police allowed them to.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali said the district administration would not negotiate with the Lal Masjid administration for the release of the remaining two policemen held hostage by the madrassa students.