New Delhi, Feb. 18 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday expressed his regret over an incident in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where former Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and others of the party were injured during a demonstration last week.

In a written statement placed before Members of the Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram said: "I am distressed and unhappy that such an incident should have taken place. I have placed the facts before the House. I have great respect for Honourable Members who have complained about alleged police excess, but I am not able to make any judgement in this behalf. I offer my sympathies to those who have suffered injuries. I wish that such demonstrations are conducted peacefully and no cause is given for any action by the police."

Recalling the facts, Chidambaram said that Sinha and other Honourable Members of the Upper House belonging to the BJP had made submissions on the incidents that took place at the gates of the Raj Bhawan in Ranchi, Jharkhand on February 12, 2009.

He said that he had been briefed on the submissions and had also received reports from the Jharkhand Government and the state's Director General of Police. His ministry was examining these reports, he said.

He said that according to the report submitted by the Director General of Police, Yashwant Sinha, Arjun Munda and Saryu Rai, besides some others, sustained injuries.

He said that he had been informed that that the Circle Officer, Namkum, Amit Kumar personally accompanied Sinha to the Seva Sadan Hospital where he was treated. The officers of the District Administration took Arjun Munda and Saryu Rai to Adre House, where the doctors attached to Raj Bhawan administered first aid to them.

He said that he had been told that Sinha and the two MLAs were arrested at about 2.30 p. m. and were released at about 5 p. m.

He said that in all 300 demonstrators were detained and released that evening. (ANI)