12 injured in police lathicharge

Gwalior, June 10 (UNI) At least 12 people were injured in stone throwing and police lathicharge after supporters of expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti blocked a road to protest the arrest of the sadhvi's close associate here today.

Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Sharma said two policemen and a media cameraman were among the injured.

Police opened fire in the air and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob, which retaliated with stone-throwing near Padav police station here.

The demonstration took an ugly turn when police tried to lift the blockade.

Mr Sharma said Bharatiya Janashakti incharge (Gwalior) Preetam Lodhi was taken into preventive custody late last night as 28 criminal cases were pending against him. The last case was registered in December 2005.

Meanwhile, Mr Lodhi claimed he was framed in many cases due to political rivalry. His supporters staged demonstration and resorted to road blockade to protest his arrest ahead of Ms Bharti's visit here.

Mr Lodhi was released on personal bond after the police action on demonstrators.

Few demonstrators were also arrested and some injured were hospitalised, police added.

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