24 injured as police clash with protesters

No fewer than 24 people including 6 police men have been injured in Istanbul as police clashed with demonstrators during May Day protests.

Turkish police say they have detained nearly 140 people following the clashes.

BBC reports that some of the demonstrators threw stones and set off fireworks near Taksim Square, a traditional rallying point for left-wing protesters.

Opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have accused him of repressive tactics ahead of elections in June and the May Day march was the first major protest since the Turkish parliament passed a controversial law giving police increased powers in March.

According to reports, the law widens powers to conduct stop-and-search and detain demonstrators.

Also much of Istanbul's public transport had been shut down because of security concerns.

Asides Istanbul,  tens of thousands of people also held a peaceful march in the Turkish capital Ankara.