Patna: A protest by thousands of fair price shop dealers in Patna on Friday descended into violence after police used batons and water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the Dakbungla crossing.
The dealers, who had marched from West Champaran earlier this month under the banner of the Fair Price Dealers Association, gathered in the state capital demanding the protection of the public distribution system and the regularisation of their services.
Police said they resorted to force after protesters refused to move to the designated protest site at Gardnibagh and instead blocked both carriageways at Dakbungla. “Everyone has the right to protest, but it must be peaceful,” said Krishna Murari Prasad, deputy superintendent of police for law and order. “They broke barricades, became violent and disrupted traffic.”
Officials alleged that some demonstrators pelted stones, attacked officers with sticks, and even pulled policemen by their collars. Several protesters were detained following the clashes.
