Lucknow, Nov 21 (IANS): A large number of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) degree holders demanding they be appointed as teachers in primary schools were baton-charged as they tried to march towards the state assembly here Monday, police said.

Shouting anti-government slogans, the B.P.Ed and B.Ed degree holders, who had assembled here from various parts of Uttar Pradesh, forced their way through the barriers near the Jhulelal Park, while trying to march towards the Vidhan Sabha when the proceedings were underway.

The degree holders accused the state government of not taking adequate steps for generating employment, and demanded their appointment as teachers in primary schools.

"When prevented from marching towards the Vidhan Sabha, the protesters turned unruly and even clashed with the police. It was then we had to resort to baton charge in order to disperse them," said police inspector Bhanu Singh.

"Security in the area has been beefed up in order to avert any fresh incident of violence," he added.