Chandigarh, March 9: NEARLY a dozen protesters, including women, had to be taken to General Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh, this afternoon when the Chandigarh Police used water canons to disperse 1984 riot victims and their supporters at Matka Chowk.

They were raising slogans against Punjab Deputy Commissioners, who have allegedly not forwarded financial sanctions given by the Centre as relief to the riot victims. The protesters alleged that despite the Centre’s clear instructions to give financial assistance to the riot victims, the state deputy commissioners are not paying any heed to it.

There were about 200 men and women took part in the protest. Those who were hospitalised included Bhagat, a resident of Phase-VII, Mohali; Baljinder Kaur, a resident of Ph-XI, Mohali, and Kaushalya Devi, a resident of Pakhowal.