Police lathicharge anti-quota students' rally

Kolkata, Aug 24: At least seven students and two constables were injured when an anti-reservation rally by students turned violent following alleged batoncharge by police.

DC Central Ajay Ranade told UNI that the incident occurred when a splinter group from the rally tried to deviate from the main route of the procession.

The constables escorting the rally tried to stop them and in the resulting scuffle a few students as well as policemen fell on the road and sustained injuries.

Mr Ranade, however, denied lathicharge by police.

The "Youth for Equality", a conglomerate of various student unions, is protesting the Centre's reservation policy.

''Police batoncharge was absolutely unnecessary and unprovoked,'' students' representative Dr Kalyan Ashis Mukherjee told UNI.

''We are protesting for a cause and were heading for a destination when police used batons,'' he said.

He further said the injured students were taken to the Medical College and Hospital.

The students asked for a deputation to the Chief Minister to press for their demands.

They put up road blockades leading to severe traffic snarls causing immense hardship to the commuters.

UNI

Related Stories