CNN-IBN

Patna, May 20: A march in support of the government’s new reservation proposal was lathicharged in Patna after stones were thrown at journalists and police, said officials.

Police alleged the medicos' rally, which began in front of CNN-IBN's Patna office, was taken out without prior information.

IG Patna Anil Sinha said the rallyists attacked the police. The Bihar Government has ordered a probe into the lathicharge.

"The police had no prior information that quota supporters were planning a rally. The rallyists got angry when they saw journalists at the Dak Bangla roundabout. They alleged that the media had only portrayed the anti-quota point of view," said Sinha.

"They started throwing stones at journalists and the police and that's when we intervened," he said. The demonstrators, who shouted slogans against the media and the PM, allegedly damaged media vehicles.

Policemen and demonstrators were injured and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The situation is under control.

Meanwhile, medicos have closed down the emergency ward of Patna Medical College Hospital to protest against the lathicharge.

President of Indian Medical Association, Patna, Ajay Kumar reacted sharply to the lathicharge of medicos saying, “The students must have been provoked. However, I feel it is the social responsibility of everybody to calm down these students.”

Referring to the quota controversy, Kumar said, “IMA has not taken any decision on the quota issue. No definite policy has been chalked out.”

Last week, a group of 200 medical students was lathicharged in Mumbai when they blocked a road to the Raj Bhavan to protest against the government's reservation proposal.

Police dragged the students away and put them in vans after they refused to clear the road. Eight-five medical students were arrested for unlawful assembly.