Agitations against changes to the reservation policy in state public service commission turned violent on Monday in Allahabad. Hundreds of students damaged and torched several vehicles and indulged in heavy stone pelting, prompting the police to disperse them forcibly.

Students groups went on a rampage in the town’s Civil Lines area, accusing the government of altering the policy to favour a particular caste. The government firmly denied it.

Sources said the security personnel chased the students and resorted to lathi charge to disperse them. Students supporting the changes to the policy, however, condemned the violence and promised to take out a procession to express their support for the policy.