Police baton charge BJP activists in Ranchi

Ranchi, May 20 : Police resorted to a baton charge against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists who staged a protest against price rise and corruption here on Monday.

The protesters, who were on their way to the Chief Minister's residence to express their unhappiness over the price rise as well as a host of other grievances, had to face a virtual weir of water and smoke as police used water canon and teargas.

"Our objective was to go to the Chief Minister's residence to stage a protest against rising prices and corruption. But the administration did not respond properly,," said Sarayu Rai, BJP leader and member of the state legislative assembly of Jharkhand.

India's inflation rate accelerated to a 44-month high of nearly eight percent on Friday , dealing a fresh blow to the government which fears a voter backlash.

The price rise, which exceeded analysts' expectations of around 7.5 percent, was mainly on account of increases of staple foods like fruits and vegetables and manufactured goods.

The country has witnessed widespread protests against the spiraling prices of essential commodities as a consequence of the Central Government's failure to check the rising rate of inflation in recent times.

ANI