Youth Cong alleges lathicharge by police on its protesters against fuel price hike near Delhi Gate

Youth Congress activists alleged that they were lathicharged by police near Delhi Gate here while they were pedaling rickshaws as a mark of protest during the Bharat Bandh against hike in fuel prices on Monday.

A senior Delhi Police officer, however, denied the allegation saying the protesters were dispersed when they tried to dismantle a barrier that was erected near Delhi Gate to stop their protest march.

The Youth Congress protesters, including its national president Keshav Yadav were participating in the procession of cycle rickshaws that started from a petrol pump near Delhi Gate.

"Our peaceful procession was moving from a petrol pump near Dilli Gate towards ITO, when Delhi Police lathicharged us. Youth Congress vice president Srinivas B V along with other leaders Sarvesh Tiwari, Mukesh Rai, Gaurav Kaushik and Haider Abbas were brutally beaten up by the policemen," alleged Youth Congress spokesperson Amrish Ranjan Pandey.

He said the injured leaders were taken to GB Pant hospital for treatment.

The cycle rickshaws that were used during the protest were also damaged by police, Pandey claimed.