Arrests and clashes between Samajwadi Party workers and the police marked the statewide protests held on Thursday. The SP has announced massive demonstrations against the state government for banning students’ union elections, kanya vidyadhan and unemployment allowance (berozgari bhatta).
In Lucknow, several people, including a policeman, were injured during a clash between the police and SP workers.
SP workers led by MP Akhilesh Yadav, son of former CM Mulayam Singh Yadav, were stopped by the police as they marched towards the Vidhan Sabha. After a heated exchange, SP workers started pelting stone at the cops. In retaliation, the police lobbed tear gas shells and used a water cannon to disperse the mob.
ASP (East) Harish Kumar said: “The situation was controlled within two hours.”
On the other hand, SP spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhary said: “The police lathicharged workers who were protesting peacefully.”
In Kanpur, around four SP workers sustained minor injuries when police lathicharged protestors at a demonstration at Bada Chauraha. In spite of heavy police deployment and barricades at various points on the route, irked party workers pulled down a hoarding of CM Mayawati there. The policemen reportedly dragged away the workers.
Kotwali police also arrested over a hundred party workers, who were later released.
Legislator Irfan Solanki alleged that police used force on the party workers, who were pressing their demands in peaceful manner.
In Varanasi, over 150 Samajwadi Party activists were arrested while they were on their way to Sir Govardhan village. The activists were arrested near Ravidas Gate under Lanka police station area, three km from the spot where Mayawati was to address a programme a short while later. “They were arrested only to prevent any untoward incident in the city,” said SP (City) Rajiv Malhotra.
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