EC asks details of gunners provided to shady elements

Lucknow, Mar 8 (UNI) Taking cognisance of the Allahabad High Court directive over gunners provided to leaders and contractors with criminal antecedents, the Election Commission has sought details of same from the Uttar Pradesh government by March 13.

The EC has directed the state government to give in detail, the background of such people provided with security cover in UP.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi said here the commission has also asked the state government to mention the reason for such security cover, besides sending in detail the nature of threat perception and the category of security given to them.

''The state government has also been directed to send details about the criminal antecedents, including of the peoples' representative and their criminal record,'' he said.

The EC has given four days time to the state government to send all the details till March 13.

On March 1, the HC had asked the state government to revoke gunners provided to 675 people, who were allotted the same without the approval of district level committees.

The court also directed the state government to reconsider its order to provide gunners to people with criminal records. It also asked the committees to reconsider the approval of security to another 793 people.

On Tuesday, the EC had asked the state government to take strict action against the illegal use of beacon lights and hooters on vehicles as directed by the HC.

UNI