PANCHWAD, Sept 12: Police used a baton charge to drive back hundreds of slogan-shouting Hindu hardliners trying to make their way to the 17th century Muslim general's tomb they have threatened to demolish.

Police said they charged a crowd of about 500 people throwing stones at them and passing vehicles in Panchwad village near the heavily guarded tomb of General Afzal Khan in Maharashtra state.

"The mob turned unruly, started chasing press people and throwing stones at police. We had no option but to resort to a baton charge to restore law and order in this area," C.G. Kumbhar, DSP, told Reuters.