Punjab Congress activists cane-charged in Chandigarh

Police here on Wednesday cane-charged and used water cannons to disperse Congress party activists who were proceeding towards the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to submit a memorandum to highlight the plight of farmers in the state.

Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Punjab tate assembly Charanjit Singh Channi, accused Chandigarh Police of using brute force against the peacefully protesting Congress workers.

In a complaint to the Punjab governor and senior police officers, the Congress leaders alleged that the station house officer (SHO) of Sector 11 police station, accompanied by policemen in riot gear, barged into the Punjab Congress Bhavan in Sector 15 on Wednesday and manhandled Congress activists and journalists inside the premises.

In the complaint, the Congress leaders demanded registration of a criminal case against the SHO for trespassing into the state Congress headquarters.

They said the SHO and his police force did not have any search warrant to enter the premises and manhandle people.

The Chandigarh Press Club also condemned the alleged assault on media persons inside the Punjab Congress building.

Channi, in a statement, said: "Chandigarh Police started a lathi charge and used water cannons on peacefully sitting farmers, who had gathered here to gherao the chief minister residence today (Wednesday)."

"Many farmers were injured and a few were also taken to the Sector 16 government hospital. The protestors were abused by the (police) force and made to run to save their lives also."

--IANS

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