The demonstrators were trying to be violent and minimum force was used to control the situation, Senior Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Diwedi said.
One person was injured in the lathi-charge, he added.
The workers, under the banner of 'Jharkhand MG-NREGA Karmachari Sangh' were demonstrating in support of their demands when the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Irfan Ansari informed the state Assembly that 40 MG-NREGA workers were injured in the lathi-charge during the demonstration near the Chief Minister's residence.