Ranchi, March 15 (IANS) Thousands of Congress workers staged protests outside the state assembly Monday, demanding CBI probe into scores of scams and early holding of panchayat elections.

Congress leaders, including opposition leader Rajendra Singh, state president Pradeep Balmuchu and others, addressed the workers.

'Why is the state government not handing over to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) the investigations into various scams that took place in Jharkhand? The state is also not interested in panchayat elections despite the fact that the Supreme Court has cleared the way for holding elections,' Balmuchu said.

The workers tried to jump the barricades to reach the state assembly, forcing police to use water cannons to disperse the crowds.

'The main gate locks were broken and the Congress workers were trying to cross it. Police had no option but to use water cannons,' a police official said.

The Congress leaders condemned the use of water cannons, saying it was uncalled for.