Lawyers, police clash in UP

Lucknow, Feb 25 (PTI) Lawyers, marching towards the UttarPradesh Chief Minister''s residence to submit a memorandum oftheir demands, clashed with the police today leading to brickbatting and lathi charge in Hazratganj area here.

The incident took place this afternoon when a numberof lawyers, trying to march towards the Mayawati''s residencewere stopped at Hazratganj crossing by the police.

"When the lawyers were stopped from marching towards theCM''s residence, they started pelting stones damaging tworoadways buses. They also torched official vehicles of SDM anda PWD department," Special DG, Law and Order Brijlal toldreporters.

He said that action would be initiated against lawyerswho were involved in vandalism.

Lawyers said that they were peeved at the state budgetin which no arrangements were made for their welfare schemes.

"We wanted to handover the memorandum to press ourdemands including provision in state budget for our welfare,"a lawyer said, adding that their march was peaceful but policeunnecessarily resorted to lathi-charge on them.

Both police and lawyers were injured in the clash.

Lawyers said that a provision of Rs 100 crore should bemade for their welfare in the state budget.

Opposition parties Congress and SP termed the lathicharge of "innocent" lawyers as undemocratic.