Several injured as Congress, BJP clash in HP

Dharamshala, May 1 (UNI) Several people, including women, were injured in clashes between the Congress and BJP activists in Kangra town of Himachal Pradesh today, police sources said.

The trouble arose after the Congress and BJP activists congregated at the old Kangra Bus Stand and resorted to slogan shouting followed by stone pelting and clashes between the activists of both the parties.

The sources said several people, including women, were injured in the clashes, which ended only after the police cordoned off both the groups.

While the Congress activists burnt an effigy of former union minister Shanta Kumar before the clashes, the BJP activists burnt Mr Bali's effigy for the irregularities in the construction of Macleodganj Bus Stand on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

The BJP workers later blocked traffic on the Shimla-Mautor National Highway and resorted to slogan shouting, which was still countiuning.

Confirming the incident, DIG P L Thakur that several people have been injured in the accident, which occurred at about noon.

It was not yet clear as to how the clashes occurred, he told UNI here.

Senior police officials have rushed to the site to maintain law and order, he said, adding more details were awaited.

UNI