Civic protest dynamics: Police lathi-charge to disperse an unlawful gathering vs. citizens’ strike against police atrocities — determine the correct cause–effect direction.

Given data

• I: Police used lathi-charge to disperse an unlawful large gathering.
• II: Citizens' forum called a general strike protesting police atrocities.

Concept/Approach

• Public protest (strike) is commonly a reaction to state action (use of force).

Step-by-Step reasoning
1) Police action (I) occurs first.2) Citizens respond with a strike (II) alleging atrocities.3) Hence, (I) → (II).

Verification/Alternative

• (II) causing (I) would imply the strike preceded the lathi-charge; but II is explicitly a protest against the action in I.

Common pitfalls

• Confusing chronology when both events are close in time.

Final Answer
Statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect.