Pakistan, Sept. 26 -- Indian police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday to disperse opposition Congress party members during nationwide protests demanding the resignation of the head of the election commission, whom they accuse of manipulating voter rolls.

The "cockroach" youth movement, which counts millions of supporters and forced the education minister out in July, said it would launch protests across India on Oct 2 if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by Saturday.

The protests, which are backed by other opposition groups, mark a new political challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Kumar, 62, a former civil servant, was appointed to head the independent Election Commission of India by Modi's gover...