PATNA: In what seems set to aggravate the ongoing tension between NDA allies JD (U) and RLSP, police on Saturday resorted to heavy lathicharge to disperse people belonging to Kushwaha caste who had taken out a procession in protest against JD (U) chief and CM Nitish Kumar’s alleged remark calling RLSP president and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha ‘neech’ last week.“Several people were injured,” state RLSP functionary Anil Yadav fumed and added Rakesh Singh, Manoj Yadav and Susbhash had their hands fractured, while another demonstrator received head injury.The procession consisting of 300 and odd men and women originated from the JP roundabout near Gandhi Maidan, and was headed towards the Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to governor Lalji Tandon demanding speedy trial of cases of “targeted killing” of Kushwahas.The protesters were shouting slogans against the CM. They were also demanding an apology from him for his alleged ‘neech’ remark against Upendra.As police tried to stop the protesters from marching ahead, they broke the first cordon and assembled at the Dak Bungalow crossing. Soon, a scuffle ensued between the protesters and policemen. Police resorted to heavy lathicharge which created a stampede-like scenario.The RLSP president, who was at Munger to participate in a party function, rushed back to Patna to meet the injured at PMCH later at night.In a statement, Upendra described the lathicharge as ‘nirdayatapurn’, or brutal. He also called it very sad, shameful and surprising.“The Bihar government’s police ‘apraadhiyon ko sar par bithaakar rakhti hai (treat criminals with kid gloves)’ but break heads of those who agitate on issues,” Upendra said.

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