Police, on Monday had to resort to a mild lathi charge when a protest by agitators seeking total prohibition went awry at Pappampatti.

A group of CPI workers, majority of them belonging National Federation of IndianWomen (NIFW), were taking a ‘pall with an effigy for mourning the death of liquor,’ seeking total prohibition in Tamil Nadu.

Nearly 90 agitators, including 68 women, were carrying the ‘pall with the body’ and ‘crying,’ when police attempted to snatch it, resulting in a scuffle between them.

As there was strong resistance from the workers, police resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse them.

In the melee, one Krishnamurthy, suffered chest pain and workers took and admitted to a nearby private hospital.

Another group of workers, numbering around 75, staged a similar protest at Kannampalayam, on Pappampatti Road, seeking total prohibition.

All the workers, involved in both the agitations, were arrested, police said.