Police use lathis, water cannons against Youth Cong workers

Police today used water cannons and lathis against Youth Congress workers who were on their way towards the Assembly during a demonstration here.
They were holding the march in support of their 12-point demands which included issues of law and order, release of its jailed party MLA Ajay Rai, payment of sugar cane dues, compensation and loan waiver to farmers.
Congress youth wing activists of eastern zone, led by its national president Amrinder Singh Barar, started their march from their office for their 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' programme but were stopped some distance away.
Police, which set up barricades, also used water cannons and lathis to stop the protestors.

Several youths were injured and many were also taken in custody, a Congress press release claimed.
Several senior leaders, including legislators Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Aradhana Mishra, joined the agitation and were also taken into custody along with Brar and others but were later released, it said.