Several Youth Congress Workers Injured as Police Use Water Cannons, Lathicharge near CM's Residence
Jun 15, 2026
Several Youth Congress workers were injured today when police used water cannons and allegedly resorted to lathicharge to stop protesters from breaching the high-security zone around the Chief Minister's residence during a march demanding accountability over the NEET scam and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Organised by Youth Congress against rising corruption, soaring inflation and unemployment, the march saw over a hundred workers and supporters take part this morning. As it reached IGM Hospital, police set up barricades to block its progress.
However, protesters broke through the barricades and tried to move towards the Chief Minister's residence, prompting police to use water cannons first to bring the situation under control.
As demonstrators continued pushing ahead, police and CRPF personnel took stronger steps to prevent entry into the high-security zone. A second round of water cannons was used, with lathicharge also allegedly carried out, leaving several protesters injured.
Eyewitnesses said many were hurt in different parts of their bodies, with some seen bleeding at the spot. The injured were given primary medical treatment.
Reacting strongly, Pradesh Youth Congress chief Neel Kamal Saha said, "The administration has used excessive force to suppress a democratic movement. The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of democracy, and the government is using force to crush voices of dissent."
Meanwhile, the incident triggered sharp reactions in political circles, with sections of the opposition questioning whether such strictness was historically shown against those violating law and order or drug traffickers.
However, the police maintained that the action was meant to secure the Chief Minister's residence and maintain law and order in the city, adding that steps were taken to prevent any breach of the security cordon.
