Supporters of social activist Anna Hazare were manhandled by the police and a few of them were detained as a preventive measure in Surat city in south Gujarat on Tuesday evening when they attempted to take out a candle light rally in support of the the anti-corruption agitation.
About a dozen persons, including some senior citizens, were injured
The incident sparked off more protest rallies by the people. “It is going to get worse unless the police take remedial measures for the uncalled for action against the peaceful protesters,” some of the participants said.
It started when a group of people were trying to take out a rally, but the Umra police tried to prevent them claiming that no prior permission had been taken. As the people insisted on going ahead, pointing out that scores of rallies were being taken out across the country without prior permission, the police resorted to cane charging to disperse the participants.
Later the agitated protesters surrounded the police station and started chanting “Ramdhun” as a symbolic non-violent protest. The inspector in-charge then ordered a lathi-charge. Reports received here late in the evening said the situation was tense though peaceful.
