Mumbai Beat

ABVP protest ends in fracas

A march led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ABVP to the American Consulate at Breach Candy protestingagainst the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Belgrade by NATO on May 21, ended in a fracas today.

In an attempt to disperse the 70-odd activists, who tried to barge into the embassy premises, police resorted to a lathi-charge. However, the situation turned violent when the activists resisted. In the ensuing melee, several persons were injured, including police personnel! Eyewitnesses said the activists initially gathered in pairs before the embassy, raising slogans against American 8220;imperialism8217; and demanding a public apology to India for the incident. They burnt an effigy of American President Bill Clinton and also the American flag. They even attempted to rush into the embassy whose guards pulled down the shutters. Police patrol wired the headquarters who dispatched two trucks. But the activists squatted on the road and began resisting the police who commenced a fierce lathi-charge. In the scuffle, policemen in civilian dress were also injured.

An AVBP office-bearer later complained, 8220;The policewithout reason attacked us and even roughed up a couple of photographers. Sixty-eight of our activists were arrested and later released on a personal bond.8221;