Police, Protestors Clash in Patna
Patna: Nov. 30, 2007
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Police, Protestors Clash in Patna
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Photo by Shashi Uttam |
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Mayhem and chaos prevailed in Patna on Friday when health volunteers protesting under the banner of Asha, an NGO, crossed the picket line and clashed with the law enforcement officials forcing the authorities to open lathi charge, launch tear gas, and water cannon to to restore some semblance at the Dak Bungalow crossing.
As reported, thousands of volunteer health workers, mostly women, staged a march on Friday morning to press for their 86-point demands including a raise in their stipend, according them the status of government employees, and better working conditions.
At Dak Bungalow crossing, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and other top police officers met with the Asha representatives and invited them to have a talk with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Their offer, however, was turned down. Before long, the protestors attacked the police with bottles, shoes, sandals and other objects. A few anti-social elements in the crowd even took the opportunity to loot some shops in the area and damaged two parked cars.
With three anti-riot vehicle 'Vajra' and hundreds of policemen now prepared to quell the riot, the police hurled tear gas shells and launched water cannon forcing the rioters to retreat.
However, just when the situation appeared to be in control, the protestors grabbed the fire engine water hose and attacked the police forcing them to resort to lathi charge in which over two dozen protestors were said to be hurt.
After more than 5 hours of battle between the rioters and the police, peace was restored in the area with more than 90 protestors hauled to various police stations where they were booked and later released.
Former Chief Minister of Bihar and the leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, calling the incident despicable, accused the Chief Minister of acting in an autocratic manner by trying to suppress the voice of the dissent, and demanded a public apology from him.
She also appealed to all the trade unions in Bihar to rise against the Nitish government and help the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in removing it from power.
The NDA leaders, on the other hand, accused the RJD activists of infiltrating and inciting the crowd and demanded their immediate arrests.
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