BJP workers, state president arrested during protest march in Lucknow

A large number of BJP women workers, including state unit president Surya Pratap Shahi, were today arrested en route to the Raj Bhawan in Lucknow during a protest march.

"The workers of BJP Mahila Morcha, who were marching peacefully towards Raj Bhawan to protest atrocities against women were forcibly stopped by police and arrested," national vice-president Kalraj Mishra alleged.

The workers of Mahila Morcha led by state president Shahi and and national vice-president of the women wing Karuna Shukla, were taking out a march from the Kaisarbagh office towards Raj Bhawan.

They were, however, stopped near the office by police where barricading was done, official sources said.

After a minor scuffle with police, the workers and leaders, including Shahi, were arrested and taken to the police lines, they said.

"More than 1,000 workers of the morcha were arrested by police," a party spokesperson said, adding that vice-president Karuna Shukla suffered leg injury during the arrest.