Congress Workers Clash with Police During Lucknow Assembly March
Scores of Congress workers, rallying under the 'MNREGS Bachao Sangram' banner, were halted by police barricading in Lucknow on Monday, sparking a violent confrontation that resulted in injuries to several protesters, including the party's state chief Ajay Rai. The police detained numerous Congress activists as tensions escalated throughout the day.
Heavy Security Deployment and Road Closures
Since the early morning hours, authorities implemented extensive security measures, with heavy police presence and multiple layers of barricades sealing off roads leading to the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly and the Congress office. Senior party officials reported that workers traveling from various districts across the state were intercepted at borders and highways, yet many managed to circumvent these restrictions and gather in substantial numbers.
Escalation of Violence and Lathi Charge
As protesters advanced towards the Assembly, chanting slogans against the BJP-led state government, scuffles erupted between party workers and security personnel. Eyewitnesses described the situation turning intensely tense when demonstrators attempted to scale over the barricades. In response, police conducted a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, leading to injuries on both sides. The Congress party confirmed that Ajay Rai was among those injured, sharing visual evidence of the clash on social media platforms.
Detention of Senior Leaders
Several high-profile Congress leaders were taken into custody during the incident. Those detained include Avinash Pande, Ajay Rai, Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader of the Opposition Pramod Tiwari, Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra, and MP Tanuj Punia. They were transported by bus to a temporary jail facility at Eco Garden. Additionally, party sources indicated that numerous district and frontal organization leaders were placed under preventive custody as part of the police action.
Political Statements and MGNREGA Defense
Prior to his detention, Avinash Pande addressed the assembled workers, emphasizing the critical importance of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He described the scheme as "the backbone of rural India's economic framework", underscoring the protest's focus on safeguarding this essential program for rural livelihoods and economic stability.
The incident highlights ongoing political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, with the Congress party mobilizing against perceived threats to welfare schemes, while state authorities maintain strict security protocols to prevent unrest near governmental institutions.
