Opposition Leaders Burn the Effigy of CM
Patna: Dec. 1, 2007
 A day after the health workers under the banner of Asha clashed with Patna police forcing the police to open lathi charge and launch water cannons at them, leaders from various opposition parties, on Saturday, burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while also demanding a public apology and his resignation.
"The way the police attacked the peaceful protestors on Friday reminds us of the British rule when such atrocities were quite common," the protestors said while accusing the Chief Minister of being arrogant, autocratic, and an enemy of poor people.
Among those who participated in Saturday's protest included leaders from All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India-ML, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
 "Nitish Kumar made a lot of promises prior to his election. Now that we are simply trying to remind him of his pledges, he is ordering tear gas and water cannon on us," said the Bahujan Samaj Party leader Dr. Shyamnandan Sharma.
Meanwhile, the Patna police denied charges of having used the force first.
"Some anti-social elements in the rally were inciting others to act in an aggressive manner. They also looted several shops and damaged passing-by vehicles. The administration gave them an opportunity to meet with the Chief Minister but their intention was clearly to cause trouble and not to resolve the matter in an amicable way. When attempts of negotiations failed and the protestors engaged in rowdy behavior, only then the police acted tough and resorted to lathi charge and tear gas," said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kundan Krishnan.
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