Home Minister Gautam said the police had to use force to take the situation under control after the protesters turned violent.

He said that action will be taken against those responsible for the incident based on the investigation report. Furnishing his clarification over the police action against Dalit protestors in Parliament on Wednesday, Gautam said that police had to use force to take the situation under control after the protesters turned violent.

He said the security personnel were compelled to act after the protestors obstructed the vehicular movement and attempted to vandalise the vehicles plying the road.

"The government is saddened by the unexpected incident," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang had asked Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam to furnish clarification on the issue after lawmakers from across the parties raised serious concerns over the issue.

As many as 26 Dalit activists, including NC lawmaker Man Bahadur Bishwokarma, UML lawmaker Jeetu Gautam, UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Daljeet Sirpaili, had sustained serious injuries after the police wielded baton to disperse the protesters yesterday.

Dalit leaders united under Joint Dalit Political Struggle Committee have been holding a series of protest programmes, demanding proportionate representation in the central and provincial governments and legislature. They claim the draft constitution is not Dalit friendly and has curtailed their rights.