(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 15 - Leftwing politicians should stop allegedly justifying violence, Premier Giorgia Meloni said after some 15 police were hospitalised after being hit by a home-made bomb at a student and anarchists' anti-government and pro-Palestinian protest in Turin Friday.
    "Even today we witnessed unacceptable scenes of violence and chaos in some squares, by the usual troublemakers," she said on social media.
    "Several law enforcement officers ended up in the emergency room due to explosive devices and clashes.
    "My total solidarity goes to all the injured officers, with the hope of a speedy recovery.
    "I hope that certain politicians stop protecting or justifying this violence and unambiguously join in condemning such serious and unworthy episodes".
    Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi also condemned what he called "intolerable episodes of violence" in Turin.
    "Once again today in Turin, during a march, we witnessed intolerable episodes of violence, with demonstrators who, violating the police headquarters' instructions and changing route, attempted to reach the entrance to the prefecture," he said.
    Piantedosi contrasted the Turin violence with recent anarchist attacks on police in Bologna at a protest against a neofascist CasaPound rally in the Emilian capital.
    "This time there was no pretext of other initiatives in progress or subjects to oppose, but the buildings of the Institutions were targeted and the officers of the Police Forces who were deployed to defend them were attacked," said Piantedosi.
    "I trust that there will be unanimous condemnation for what happened.
    "My closeness and appreciation for their professionalism and balance to the injured officers, together with my best wishes for a speedy recovery".
    Centre-left opposition Democatic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein condemned the violence.
    "On behalf of the entire Democratic Party, I express solidarity and closeness to the law enforcement officers injured by the stinging fumes of a homemade bomb in Turin," she said.
    "The right to protest, to demonstrate and to strike cannot and must never be confused with violent aggression against anyone.
    "Violence is intolerable, as is the political exploitation of violence that no one should do, especially those with government responsibilities".
    Around 15 police officers had to be taken to a Turin hospital emergency room after the bomb exploded during clashes between police and student protesters, which also involved leftists and anarchists from the so-called 'social centre' squats.
    The rudimentary device was reportedly thrown at the police in the city's Piazza Castello, outside the office of the prefecture, and gave off fumes after exploding.
    Clashes broke out when some of the young people were repelled after trying to break through a security cordon and reach the door of the Prefecture building.
    Students also hit police vehicles with flagpoles outside the offices of State broadcaster Rai in the city, causing some damage to them.
    Protesters stripped the Italian flag from the entrance to the northern city's famous cinema museum and put up the Palestinian one in its place. They also reportedly assaulted staff at the Mole Antonelliana, home of the museum, as well as defacing walls, officials said.
    Students marched in many Italian cities on Friday to protest against Meloni's government, in particular its education policies, and against arms sales to Israel and in support of the Palestinian people.
    A photo of Meloni splashed with blood-red paint was on display at the Milan demo.
    'No Meloni Day' and 'Let's Free the Country' were among the slogans on banners at the Rome march. (ANSA).