BSP leader assaults truck driver, beaten up by traders

Hardoi, Jun 9 (UNI) The BSP district unit president and his aides allegedly assaulted a mini-truck driver here today, and were later beaten up themselves by the Mandi Samiti traders and labouers.

Police said a utility vehicle of BSP district president Om Prakash Gautam collided with a mini-truck on Lucknow-Hardoi highway in Kotwali area this morning.

The mini-truck driver took shelter in the Mandi Samiti premises, where he was pursued by Gautam and his armed cohorts and beaten up.

He received severe head wounds.

However, the BSP leaders and his aides were outnumbered by the Mandi Samiti traders, who beat them up. The traders also snatched their mobile phones and a 12 bore rifle of Gautam's personal bodyguard.

Later, senior officials rushed to the spot backed by a heavy police and PAC contingent and tried to pacify the agitating traders, who accused Gautam of extortion.

The BSP leader also claimed that the incident was part of a cospiracy to eliminate him.

He alleged being robbed of four mobile phones, a rifle, a gold chain and Rs 10,000 cash.

Meanwhile, senior police officials were camping at the Mandi Samiti Gate and trying to recover the gun.

UNI