Police baton charge to control unruly protestors in Lucknow

Lucknow, Feb 25 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Police today resorted to baton charge to control the protestors of Bharatiya Janawadi Party, a regional political outfit after they had turned violent in Lucknow.

Demanding more reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs, hundreds of activists and supporters of Bharatiya Janawadi Party gathered near the State Legislature building to stage their protest.

Reportedly, the situation turned unruly when the protestors who had squatted on the road blocking traffic were asked by the police personnel to vacate.

"The protestors of Janawadi Party, armed with axes and stones came and started protesting on the road. Their protest rally jammed the entire traffic. When police officials asked them to leave the road and submit their memorandum of demands, they started pelting stones on the policemen," said Chandra Bhanu, District Magistrate, Lucknow.

However, the protestors on their part asserted that they would continue their protest until their demands are accepted.

"If the Government will not accept our demands then we are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sake of our charter of demands," said Seetaram, a leader of Bharatiya Janawadi Party.

Recently, the Central Government had passed a bill providing 27 percent reservation for the OBCs in higher educational institutions.

But, the Supreme Court in an order had stayed the implementation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, providing 27 percent quota for OBC. (ANI)