RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha injured as RLSP leaders clash with police in Bihar
Patna, Feb 2: RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha and several other party leaders were injured in a clash with the police here Saturday after they were prevented from marching towards the Raj Bhavan.
The condition of Kushwaha, the former Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, is all right, although he has been advised rest, hospital sources said.
Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) had organised a 'Aakrosh march' on Saturday against the Nitish Kumar government to press for its demand of educational reforms in the state.
The RLSP programme was organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of late Jagdeo Prasad, the tallest leader of Bihar from the Kushwaha community, considered to be the party's primary support base.
Armed with 'lathis' (sticks) and raising slogans denouncing the state government for failing to do the needful on the party's charter of demands on educational reforms, the RLSP leaders came to blows with policemen at the Dak Bungalow crossing, about two kilometres from the Governor's residence.
When the agitators tried to force their way past the police cordon, they were quelled with baton charge and water cannons.
Kushwaha, who had received blows on his body, squatted on the roadside along with a number of supporters alleging that they had informed the police about their march.
If we were not supposed to go beyond a certain point, we should have been informed beforehand, a party leader said.
"But the administration did nothing of that sort. It remained indifferent when we began our march and came up with an abrupt order to halt when we reached Dak Bunglow crossing," Kushwaha alleged.
"The police has acted at the behest of the dictatorial government in the state, which wants to crush all dissent," he added.
The former Union minister, who quit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in December and joined the Opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) subsequently, felt unwell while venting his ire and was taken to the Patna Medical College and Hospital.
Hospital sources said his condition was fine and had been administered first aid and advised rest.
Meanwhile, the ruling Janata Dal (United), headed by Kumar, criticised the RLSP for "demanding educational reforms while carrying lathis in hands".
"What did Kushwaha do for improving the education system while he was the Union Minister of State for HRD," asked party spokesperson Ajay Alok.
"And why does his party need to carry lathis to demand educational reforms. Do they equate their hooliganism with learning," he said.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
