Lucknow, Sep 1 (IANS): Violence erupted in front of the vidhan sabha in Lucknow on Tuesday when Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) students clashed with police.

Agitating over their demands, they began pelting stones at police when they were asked to disperse. Police then resorted to a baton charge and used water canon.

While many women protesters suffered injuries in the melee that ensued after the baton charge, about one dozen policemen, including superintendent of police, East Lucknow, were also injured.

One of the protesters' main demands is to be appointed as teachers at par with individuals working as 'Shiksha Mitras'.

The students also set fire to a police vehicle and attacked policemen.

An official told IANS that B.P. Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education) degree holders had converged near the state assembly from across the state to press for their demands. The district administration declared their demonstration illegal and asked them to disperse.

The mob soon became unruly and started raising slogans and waving banners against the government.

The protesters told IANS that they were targeted by police on instructions of the Akhilesh Yadav government and added that they will now continue their protests with renewed vigour.