Some congressional workers and some members of the police personnel were slightly injured in the confrontation.
Bhopal:
The Madhya Pradesh Congress two-week program in support of farmers protesting three core laws came to a rather chaotic end in the capital Bhopal today when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the party’s march towards Raj. Bhawan. What began as a mass of party workers led by former Chief Minister Kamal Nath saluting and cheering ended in complete confusion when the police finally resorted to a baton charge. Some congressional officials and some police officers were injured in the confrontation.
Hundreds of congressional workers first gathered in the Jawahar Chowk area of the city shortly before noon, intending to march to y gherao Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Governor Anandiben Patel. Mr Nath had previously said that the Congress move should be seen as an awareness campaign. The images showed him, along with other high-ranking congressional leaders on top of a bus, leading party workers at the event.
As the demonstration approached Raj Bhawan, the police began issuing warning notes. When protesters began fighting the barricades, senior officials announced over loudspeakers that force would be used to deter them. They soon used water cannons against Congressional workers and followed him with tear gas canisters.
the @INCMP two-week program in support of the #farmers The protest against 3 central laws came to a rather chaotic end today in the capital, Bhopal, as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the party’s march towards Raj Bhawan. @ndtv@ndtvindia@INCIndiapic.twitter.com/N3AWnGbx3T
– Anurag Dwary (@Anurag_Dwary) January 23, 2021
The dramatic images show a sea of people with banners and flags rapidly moving away from an advancing police force. Another video shows a group of people surrounding a police vehicle when a water cannon is used against them.
After a light baton charge, the crowd began to dissolve as many fled.
Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states have camped in and around Delhi in protest against the three agricultural laws passed by Parliament in September. Several political parties, including Congress, have voiced support for the agitated farmers.
Ten rounds of talks later, protesters and the government came to a standstill yesterday, with the latter proposing to keep the three laws on hold for a year and a half. Farmers have not yet responded to the proposal.
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