CATALONIA was in turmoil for a third day yesterday with thousands of protesters descending on Barcelona from five, 100km (62 miles) “marches for peace” amid a plea for calm and the spectre of direct rule again looming over its government.

At least 125 people have been injured and 30 arrested after two nights of protests against the sentences imposed on independence leaders on Monday.

Spain had drafted in thousands of National Police (CNP) and Civil Guard officers ahead of the verdicts to work with the Catalan force Mossos d’Esquadra to control the demonstrations.

The CNP were criticised for freely wielding their riot batons and firing rubber bullets into crowds on one of Barcelona’s main avenues.

The National: Police fired rubber bullets and used batons against thousands of protesters at the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat AirportPolice fired rubber bullets and used batons against thousands of protesters at the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport

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BBC correspondent Jean Mackenzie tweeted on Tuesday night: “Just watched rows of police run up the main parade in Barcelona shooting rubber bullets into crowds of people at a candle vigil for the Catalan prisoners. Turned the situation into a scary and violent one instantly. Now thousands running from the police in every direction.”

The Mossos also faced criticism for their perceived unnecessary violence, but there were small rowdy elements in the normally placid crowds.

Catalan Interior Minister Miquel Buch defended the actions of the Mossos and distanced peaceful protesters from the violent minority.

He said: “Freedom defence does not need the launch of objects against police vehicles. We cannot allow unwanted incidents to damage the image of hundreds of thousands of people who have mobilised themselves with civility and without incidents.

“The presence of provocative groups and agitators has been detected at the end of peaceful demonstrations. We need to isolate these groups and not place them within the civic concentrations that Catalonia has … carried out.

“These are subject to meaningless and unintended violence that does not represent our people.”

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He went on to warn: “In the face of outbreaks of violence, the police will act.”

Unionist parties put pressure on the Madrid government to tighten up security measures.

lbert Rivera, head of the Citizens party, asked Spain’s acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez to send in more Spanish police officers to “protect Catalans”.

And, ahead of a meeting with Sanchez last night he urged him to repeat the action of his predecessor Mariano Rajoy after the October 2017 referendum to impose Article 155 of the Spanish constitution and impose direct rule on Catalonia.

The National: Quim Torra was described as a 'suicide driver'Quim Torra was described as a 'suicide driver'

Rivera also wanted President Quim Torra removed from office, describing him as “a suicide driver at the head of the Catalan government”.

Pablo Casado, who leads the conservative People’s Party (PP) demanding that Sanchez “act with determination” when dealing with the unrest and to implement national security measures.

In a statement, the prime minister’s office said: “Sanchez has sent ... a clear message: he does not rule out any scenario, everything is planned and he will act, if necessary, firmly (and) in a proportional manner.”

Politicians in Madrid have been pressing Torra to condemn the violence during the protests, but he did not do so when asked by reporters to comment on Tuesday’s clashes.

“What it is important here is to see these people rejecting the sentences,” he said as he took part in a protest march near the independence stronghold of Girona.

“It’s fantastic to see the people mobilising.

“These marches that are taking place around the country show the best in the way in which the Catalan people often express themselves. That he has no doubt that this president and his government are next to the people.”

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Thousands of protesters set off from Girona, Berga, Vic, Tàrrega and Tarragona on a March for Freedom that is expected to arrive in Barcelona tomorrow, coinciding with a general strike throughout Catalonia.

Pro-independence groups are protesting against the jailing of nine indy leaders, among them Oriol Junqueras, who was sentenced to 13 years.