MEERUT, July 9 -- The grant of bail to the main accused in the alleged murder of a 20-year-old girl sparked protests in Meerut on Wednesday. Police resorted to a baton charge to disperse demonstrators who blocked a road outside the District Collectorate. Several protesters were detained as the protest, led by the victim's family and members of the Dalit community, turned violent. The demonstrators gathered at the Collectorate demanding cancellation of the accused's bail, immediate justice in the murder case, and strict action against all involved. Raising slogans against the administration, they blocked the road, bringing traffic to a standstill. Police and administrative officials repeatedly appealed to the protesters to shift their demonstration to Chaudhary Charan Singh Park. However, they refused, insisting they would continue the protest. As the blockade continued, police attempted to clear the road, leading to a heated exchange between officers and protesters. According to police, the demonstrators ignored repeated requests to disperse, leaving authorities with no option but to use force. Police then carried out a baton charge to restore normal traffic movement. The action triggered chaos, and several protesters were taken into custody. Senior police officials reached the protest site, met the grieving family and assured them that the investigation would be conducted fairly. SSP Avinash Pandey said strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb law and order. The protest stems from the alleged murder of a BA student in May. According to police, the main accused, Ankush, allegedly confessed that he had known the student for three years and became enraged after seeing her talking to another boy. Police alleged that he and his friends later killed her. Police said the student had left home on May 15 to appear for her BA third-year examination but did not return. On May 17, her decomposed body was recovered from a sugarcane field about 25 kilometres from her home. Ankush was granted bail by a court last month, triggering fresh protests by the victim's family....