Police cane Congress women protesting against UP atrocities

Lucknow, Feb 17 (ANI): Women activists of the Congress on Tuesday were caned by the police as they protested against increasing atrocities on women in Uttar Pradesh.

State party president Rita Bahuguna Joshi and All India Congress Committee secretary Pervez Hashmi, who is in charge of the party's affairs in Uttar Pradesh, were among those who suffered serious injuries.

Joshi accused the police of brutally assaulting Congress activists.

"This way the government has shown its arrogance. This by itself explains how lawless the Mayawati government is... the male police officers who numbered around 10 to 15 beat us brutally. So we will file a case against them. Mayawati must be ashamed of this act," she added.

Reportedly, hundreds of women protestors, holding placards and banners, had gathered at the city's Shaheed Smarak to hold demonstration against the increasing cases of crime against women.

However, trouble started when the Congress workers attempted to march towards Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly when the police personnel prevented them. (ANI)