Police lathicharge during Chiranjeevi's rally, 20 injured

Kolar (Karnataka):  Fifteen students were among 20 people injured when police baton-charged a crowd during an election campaign by megastar Chiranjeevi at Bangarpet in this Karnataka district.

Thousands of fans from neighbouring regions rushed to Bangarpet after news spread that the star would be arriving to campaign for the Congress candidate in the area for the by-poll on April 9.

Fans and students surged forward when Chiranjeevi tried to alight from his car and police resorted to baton charge, police said.

During the campaign, Chiranjeevi urged voters to vote for Congress and described the BJP government as being unsuccessful.

Campaigning ended in the evening in Bangarpet, Jagalur and Chennapatna assembly constituencies, where bye-elections are being held on April 9.