Thiruvananthapuram | Police on Monday used water cannons to disperse Yuva Morcha activists who staged a protest march to the Kerala Assembly, demanding the withdrawal of the state's decision to reduce taxes on low-alcohol beverages.

Television visuals showed around 100 BJP youth wing workers marching towards the Assembly and raising slogans against the government.

The UDF government, in its Budget, proposed reducing taxes on low-alcohol beverages, drawing criticism from various sections of society.

Leaders of the LDF and the BJP have criticised the move and demanded that it be withdrawn.

The protesters were stopped by police barricades before they could reach the Assembly.

As the protest turned violent, police used water cannons against the agitators, including women activists.

The protesters, however, refused to disperse, prompting police to remove them from the protest site.

A minor altercation broke out when police attempted to remove the women activists.

The protesters were later taken into custody and shifted in police vehicles to a nearby police station.

Police said a case would be registered in connection with the incident.