Catalans vote on split from Spain

Officers in riot gear hit people with batons and forcibly removed would-be voters from polling stations

Spanish riot police burst into polling stations across Catalonia on Sunday, confiscating ballot boxes and voting papers to try to halt a banned referendum on a split from Spain as Madrid asserted its authority over the rebel region.

The Mayor of the regional capital Barcelona Ada Colau issued a statement demanding “an immediate end to police charges against the defenceless population”. Madrid said its police had acted in a proportionate manner.

Police broke down doors to force entry into voting stations as Catalans shouted “Out with the occupying forces!” and sang the anthem of the wealthy northeastern region. In one incident in