Former Union minister hurt in lathicharge

Guwahati, Apr 11: Several BJP workers, including former Union Minister Bijaya Chakrabarty and Assam BJP chief Ramen Deka, were injured in a lathicharge by the police to disperse the party's rally organised to protest price rise here today.

More than 500 protestors were arrested and taken to the Gorchuk police station here and later released.

About 15 party workers sustained injuries in the lathicharge, including Dr Chakrabarty with minor elbow injury and Mr Deka who injured his lower abdomen.

The injured were rendered medical aid at the police station before being released.

The BJP supporters, who assembled at Ulubari here at about 1100 hrs, tried to proceed towards the deputy commissioner's office in a rally to submit a memorandum to the Governor on the escalating prices of essential commodities.

A party spokesperson claimed that the police did not allow the rally, prompting the BJP workers and leaders to sit on a dharna at the spot.

The police later opened a baton charge on the protestors unprovoked and arrested them, the spokesperson added.

UNI