Gairsain, March 10 The Congress held a march to the Uttarakhand Assembly in Gairsain on Tuesday to protest against alleged rising crimes against women, the Ankita Bhandari murder case, deteriorating law and order, and rising inflation, among other issues.
They were stopped at Diwalikhal, not far from the assembly premises, by police barricades, officials said.
Congress leaders alleged that the police used batons and water cannons to stop a "peaceful protest". Police also said their officers were injured in the protest.
The protesters who gathered in response to a call by state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal crossed several police barricades during the march before being halted at Diwalikhal.
They were held for several hours at the spot before police forces dispersed the crowd with water cannons, officials said.
The Chamoli district magistrate and superintendent of police were at the spot to handle the protesters.
Godiyal accused the government of using force against people protesting peacefully. A large number of Congress workers from across the state had reached Gairsain for the march to the assembly where the budget session is currently underway.
Godiyal said people protesting peacefully were lathi-charged and water cannons were used against them.
The Congress leader said the BJP's time in government is temporary and the party will be ousted from power in next year's assembly elections.
Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, party leaders Harak Singh Rawat, Jyoti Rautela, Karan Mahra, and several MLAs were present at the Congress protest.
During the assembly session too, Congress MLAs created a ruckus over these issues and stormed to the Well of the House demanding a discussion on them.
Earlier, before the House proceedings began, Congress also held a protest in the assembly premises, demanding an extension of the session's duration.
Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya said that the assembly is the highest forum of democracy, where every important issue concerning the public should be discussed comprehensively and seriously.
The Budget Session, which began on March 9, will conclude on March 13.