Protests in Lucknow after Friday prayers; media attacked

, Aug 17: A

march after the last Friday prayers of Ramadan today turned violent here as a group of people, shouting slogans against alleged atrocities on minorities in Assam and Myanmar, resorted to stone pelting and vandalism.

The protest march which started from near the Tile Wali Masjid created a ruckus on its way forcing business establishments to close down and vandalising parks and vehicles, a senior police official said. When the RAF and PAC tried to stop them, they indulged in brick batting damaging public properties and vehicles.

"An excited group of protesters indulged in brick batting and vandalism during their march which started following a discourse after Friday prayers," SSP Lucknow RK Chaturvedi said.

The protesters also took offence to the presence of media covering the event and damaged their vehicles and equipments, police said. Later police resorted to cane charge as the protesters tried to march towards Vidhan Sabha.

Principal Secretary (Home), RM Srivastava, who visited the areas also had to face the ire of the protesters who chased his vehicle away.

Some people have sustained injuries in the incidents and action is being taken against those who have tried to disturb peace, the SSP said.

Meanwhile, journalists sat on dharna at the GPO park demanding immediate action against those responsible for damaging their equipments.

PTI