30 injured as police lathicharge protest rally for Prashant

Siliguri, Sep 28 (UNI) At least 30 people were injured today after police lathicharged a rally, organised by local people to protest alleged remarks aired on a Delhi FM channel about Indian Idol-3 Prashant Tamang, which turned violent following a scuffle.

North Bengal Inspector General(IG) R J S Nalwa said trouble erupted when a procession was on its way to submit a memorandum to the Siliguri sub-divisional officer. An ambulance got stranded due to the rally, resulting in a feud between the patient's family and the agitators.

Police rushed to the spot and fired teargas shells to control the situation. But the protestors attacked the police and damaged two police vehicles, forcing the police to resort to lathicharge in which 30 people sustained injuries.

The injured had been admitted to the Siliguri District Hospital, the IG said, adding a few people had been arrested so far.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC had been imposed here as tension prevailed.

UNI