Lathi-charge on Congress workers in Ujjain:Protest against district externment of farmer leader; MLA, farmer workers participate

A Congress protest on Monday turned violent in opposition to the district externment of Kisan Congress President Ashok Jat in Ujjain. Congress leaders and workers who reached Ujjain to participate in the demonstration had a sharp confrontation with the police. During this, there was also a heated argument between MLA Mahesh Parmar and police officials. Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar, leader Mukesh Bhati, and a large number of farmer workers were reaching Ujjain with tractors to participate in the demonstration. During this, the police stopped them under the bridge at Badnagar Road. When the workers were stopped, there was a huge commotion at the spot, and the dispute between the police and Congress workers continued for about an hour. For now, the police have stopped all the protesters there. Farmers set out to gherao Collector’s office Actually, Congress was preparing to stage a major demonstration by gheraoing the Collector’s office on Monday. In view of this, the administration has deployed a heavy police force in and around the Collector’s office premises. Congress workers were to gather at Swimming Pool Chowk and march from there on foot to reach Kothi, where they were to protest against the administration and demand withdrawal of the district externment action taken against Ashok Jat. Congress had staged a silent protest Earlier, on May 8, Congress had staged a silent protest on this issue. However, due to the demise of former Indore MLA Ashwini Joshi, the proposed indefinite dharna was given a symbolic form. During that time, Congress workers had registered their protest by remaining silent for about half an hour. Congress leaders had warned the administration that if the action of district expulsion against Ashok Jat is not withdrawn, the movement will be intensified further.