Police baton charge students protesting renovation of Jallianwala Bagh

Amritsar, Feb 13 (ANI): Police baton charged thousands of students who were protesting against renovating the Jallianwala Bagh memorial here on Thursday.

Protesters alleged that the government wanted to give a facelift to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial to turn it into a tourist attraction, thereby violating its sanctity.

"The so called development would deprive the coming generation of the rich heritage of Punjab. These stages would eventually be used for portraying vulgar shows for the visiting VVIP's cars from newly constructed of VIP gate at the entrance," said Sandeep Kaur, president of Punjab Student Union (PSU).

The protest was organised by Punjab Students Union and a youth organisation, Naujwan Bharat Sabha.

The protesters also demand inclusion of next of kin of the freedom fighters who were killed in the massacre to be included in the development committee.

Police officials said they resorted to baton charge as the protest turned violent.

"They came peacefully, but they protested against the ongoing development work in Jallianwala Bagh. We gave them regular warnings, but they turned violent. We had to resort to mild baton charge and arrested two of their members," said Kunwer Vijay Partap Singh, senior superintendent of police, Amritsar.

The Central Government in 1991 sanctioned construction of special memorial galleries and introduction of light and sound programmes.

Situated in Amritsar, Jallianwala Bagh was the park where hundreds of Indians were gunned down by British forces led by General Michael O'Dyer in April 13, 1919. (ANI)