Police lathicharge BJP supporters in Jharkhand

The police resorted to lathicharge on BJP activists on Sunday while demonstrating in front of the Town police station protesting the arrest of party candidate from Daltonganj Assembly segment Manoj Kumar Singh in Medininagar of Palamau district.

Singh was arrested for taking out a motorcycle rally in Medininagar without prior permission, the police said. Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer K N Jha came across the rally headed by Singh and had intercepted them, leading to an altercation.

Singh had allegedly attempted to heckle Jha, which was prevented by the DC's bodyguards, who took him in custody and handed him over to the police. Jha said Singh could not produce valid permission for the motorcycle rally.

Singh's supporters assembled in front of the police station soon after and sat on a dharna protesting his arrest. Police resorted to lathicharge when all attempts to convince the activists to lift their dharna failed, the police said.
District Superintendent of Police Mayur Patel warned of stringent actions if any attempt to disturb the law and order situation was made.