Youth Congress activists on Tuesday tried to climb the barricades while protesting outside the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha over issues like unemployment, Harda firecrackers factory blast and atrocities against women, forcing the police to use water cannons to disperse them.
The police detained 40 to 50 protesters, an official said.
The budget session of the state assembly is currently underway.
A massive blast and subsequent blaze at the firecrackers unit in Harda town on February 6 claimed 12 lives and left more than 200 people injured.
Massive demonstration was organised by Youth Congress workers gathered to surround the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.
After assembling at the State Congress Office (PCC), when they moved towards the Assembly, the police stopped them by placing barricades. There was also a minor clash between the workers and the police at Shivaji Nagar intersection (in front of Red Cross Hospital).
PCC Chief Jitu Patwari, Youth Congress National President Srinivas, Youth Congress State President Vikrant Bhuria climbed the barricade. When they tried to go towards the assembly, the police stopped them.
The activists were dispersed using water cannons and tear gas shells. During this, a shell hit the face of Youth Congress State Vice President Prashant Parashar.
After some time, the police called vehicles and the workers started protesting by lying on the ground. Later many workers including Jitu Patwari, Srinivas were arrested.
Youth Congress demonstrated against the increasing unemployment in the state, Harda firecracker factory blast, crime, women insecurity and the government failure to keep assurances of people benefit.
Before the demonstration, Youth Congress workers gathered at the State Congress office. During this, State President Jitu Patwari said - This time, tickets on half the seats in the Lok Sabha elections will be given to Youth Congress workers or leaders whose age is less than 50 years.
During the demonstration, National President of Youth Congress Srinivas BV said that the Madhya Pradesh government has betrayed the youth, they should be ashamed. Mohan Yadav is a remote control man, who has nothing in his hands.
State Youth Congress President Vikrant Bhuria said that every day a youth is committing suicide. The government is not providing them employment. When 5 lakh employees retired, their age limit was increased. Our statement is clear provide employment or arrest.
The police barricaded the road leading to the Vidhan Sabha to prevent the protesters from moving ahead.
When Patwari and others tried to cross the barricades by climbing over them, the police used water cannons to disperse them, a police official said.
Additional Commissioner of Police Awdhesh Goswami said 40-50 Youth Congress workers were taken into custody.
The police used only water cannons to disperse the protesters, he added.