Bidar: More than 15 people were hurt in a police lathi charge including a local Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP), while protesting over the death of a student during bandh on January 30.

Hindu outfits had called for Bidar bandh following the death of a student named Pooja, who was allegedly raped and killed with her throat slit. Accused Shamshuddin had allegedly dragged the victim deep inside an isolated grove to commit the heinous crime.

Enraged by the incident, hindu outfits called for Bidar bandh today. Business establishments downed shutters in support of the bandh. Even buses and auto rickshaws stayed off roads.

As the protests led by local BJP MP turned violent, police resorted to mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control. In the melee, more than 15 Hindu activists including local MP Bhagwanth Khuba were injured.