UP poll: SP's celebration dented by post-victory violence

Jhansi (UP), Mar 7: In spite of the Samajwadi Party's victorious run in the

, the win was not celebrated in a happy mode when incidents of violence were reported denting the victory fervour in the state considerably.

On Tuesday, as part of the celebrations at the Samajwadi party camp on their win in the elections, several party workers went on a rampage and attacked video journalists in Jhansi. The break up in the law and order situation sparked when an SP candidate, Chandrapal Singh Yadav was found to be trailing by over 4000 votes to BSP candidate Krishna Pal Singh Rajpoot. [Read coverage of UP election 2012 here]

The occasion saw SP workers taking law into their own hands, who started pelting stones on almost 15 video journalists and cameramen. They also went a step ahead and took the mediamen hostage at a counting centre in Jhansi. They were only let off after close to 6 hours.

Some mediamen were also reported to be injured, while some others took shelter inside the Bundelkhand Degree College where counting was going on and violence was going on outside the college premises.

The counting centre had the presence of close to 1500 SP workers in spite of the heavy police deployment. Due to the incidents of violence, the result for the Babina seat in Jhansi have not been announced. The counting was stalled after it was found that 17 EVMs were found broken in the Babina assembly seat.

There were also differences put forth by SP candidate Chandrapal Singh Yadav that led to the counting being stopped. Following the incident, the DGP of the state is understood to have met SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav after hearing the incident stated that those resorting to violence will not be spared and added that the SP workers' behaviour was unacceptable and requested them not to indulge in violence. He said, "Strong action will be taken against those involved in incidents in Jhansi and other areas. Action will be taken against those involved in today's incidents by tomorrow morning, they will be expelled from the party."

Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi tweeted on the incident, "Spoke to DGP. There is a mob of 4000. Journalists are absolutely safe."

Yesterdays violence also saw the death of a 12-year-old boy who was caught in the celebratory firing by SP supporters.

OneIndia News