Rabble-rousers have taken to the streets to create havoc and serve their political masters causing more misery to the general masses hit by economic woes, under the guise of public protests. Here the riot police who arrived to disperse some protesting students near the twin towers, Colombo 1 yesterday afternoon being confronted by a group of hooligans. With street protests becoming a regular feature, the Police Department has been stretched to its limits and the cash-strapped Government is compelled to spend millions of rupees on anti-riot equipment.