Activists of the Youth Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha laid siege to the Secretariat on Thursday in protest against the alleged failure of the Left Democratic Front government on several counts.
The agitation, staged separately by the two organisations, virtually choked the city, disrupting normal life much before the siege officially began at 6 a.m.
Supporters of the two organisations had gathered in front of the Secretariat from Wednesday evening itself, leading to mounting tension. On Thursday, there were pitched battles and stone throwing between the supporters of the two organisations.
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The police had deployed a huge contingent to tackle any untoward incidents, but got caught in between the agitators who staged their agitations in difference spots in front of the Secretariat.
A policeman was hurt in stone throwing.
Senior leaders who were present kept the agitated youth in check.
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Flex boards and posters were torn apart. Attempts were made to breach the police barricades, forcing the law enforcers to resort to caning and use of water cannon.
The clash between the two youth organisation reflected the tussle of the BJP for more Opposition space and the Congress for preventing the BJP achieve its objective.
The BYM’s siege was inaugurated by Poonam Mahajan, the organisation’s president, while the Youth Congress inducted its president Amarinder Singh Raja.