Three police officers injures as violence erupts in London protests

[News_Editor]

Three police officers injures as violence erupts in London protests

2010-12-10 01:21:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- Three police officers were seriously injured after violence erupted on Thursday in London’s Parliament Square as students continue protests over university tuition fees.

Police forces and thousands of British students clashed as the latter attempted to break the police lines blocking the entrance to the Houses of Parliament where voting on the controversial tuition fees will take place on Thursday night.

At least three police officers were injured as riot police forces struggled to maintain control of the crowd. One policeman was thrown off his horse and two others were seriously hurt in the lines. Police officers are using batons as the rioters are throwing flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls.

Due to the level of violence Scotland Yard has implemented a containment operation to control the riot. Up to 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers have cut off all roads to Parliament Square to keep protesters at a distance.

On the other hand, there have also been protesters injured although there has not been an official report regarding the number of wounded. Students from England and the United Kingdom gathered in London for a day of protests and rally. About 20,000 demonstrators were expected to show up.

Inside the Parliament, MPs were debating controversial proposals to allow English universities to charge up to £9,000 ($14,160) per year in fees, which is three times the current cap. The plans to rise tuition fees starting in 2012 would have a lower cap at £6,000 ($9,617).

In addition, university funding would be cut by 40 percent, eliminating teaching grants as well, with the exception for math and science. The costs of teaching other courses would be funded by tuition fees.

The government’s proposal has not been supported by all MPs. Business Secretary Vince Cable said that the fee plans were fair and would help maintaining the universities’ quality. However, it is expected that many Liberal Democrat MPs will not support the plans, in what appears to be the first major backbench rebellion.

"The level of fee increase may have a significant disincentive effect on youngsters going to university," said Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes.

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