Congmen, police clash in UP capital

Lucknow, Nov 27 (UNI) At least 50 Congress workers and three police personnel were injured when the two groups clashed outside the Vidhan Bhawan building today during the party's 'Lucknow Ghero' agitation.

The trouble started when some women Congress workers clashed with police near the main gates of the Vidhan Bhawan building. While three police personnel were reportedly injured in the clash, police retaliated by using force on the agitators. ''The women started hitting our men with banners,'' a policeman at the scene claimed.

In a bid to control the mob, the police later used tear gas and water cannons. Some Congress leaders were hurt during the use of water cannons. A party spokesperson claimed UPCC president Salman Khurshid was one of those injured. ''Police used lathis to hit Mr Khurshid,'' he claimed.

While Congress claimed police used rubber bullets on its workers, police claimed it only used tear gas.

Later, UP Congress president Salman Khurshid and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Pramod Tiwari courted arrest. Several Congress workers were taken to Reserve Police Lines in roadways buses.

Congress had launched its 'jail bharo' agitation from November 21 following a call given by AICC president Sonia Gandhi.

During a similar protest in Kanpur a couple of days ago, the ruling Samajwadi Party and Congress workes had clashed. Police had later lodged an FIR against Congress MLA Ajay Kapoor for instigating the violence.

UNI NAB MB MSJ DS1428