Jhansi: Reminding of the breakdown in the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh during the earlier regime of Samajwadi Party (SP), its workers on Tuesday attacked several video journalists in Jhansi. The violence started after SP candidate Chandrapal Singh Yadav was found trailing by over 4000 votes to BSP candidate Krishna Pal Singh Rajpoot.
SP candidate's supporters pelted stones and held 15 video journalists and cameramen hostage at a counting centre in Jhansi after they captured the workers creating a ruckus.
Some media persons were also reported to be injured. Some journalists took shelter inside the Bundelkhand Degree College, where counting was going on, as there was violence outside.
An ANI cameraman escaped from the college in the darkness while other journalists were still trapped inside.
As many as 1500 supporters of the SP candidate were reported to be at the counting centre amidst heavy police deployment.
Results of counting for Babina seat in Jhansi have not been announced due to violence.
Counting for the Babina assembly seat had to be stopped after the seal of 17 EVMs were found broken.
Official sources said following objections from SP candidate Chandrapal Singh Yadav, counting was stopped in the evening.
The DGP of the state has met SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.
SP leader Akhilesh Yadav had earlier said that no one found breaking the law would be spared. He called the behaviour of the SP workers in Jhansi unacceptable and asked the party activists not to indulge in any violence.
"Strong action will be taken against those involved in incidents in Jhansi and other areas," said Akhilesh Yadav.
"Action will be taken against those involved in today's incidents by tomorrow morning, they will be expelled from the party," he added.
CEC SY Quraishi tweeted on Jhansi: "Spoke to DGP. There is a mob of 4000. Journalists are absolutely safe."
Clashes were also reported from various parts of Uttar Pradesh during Samajwadi Party celebrations.
A 12-year-old boy identified as Danish was killed on Tuesday during celebratory firing allegedly by SP supporters after the party candidate Iqbal Mahmood's victory in Sambhal area.
SP supporters were also indulged in violence in Agra, Firozabad and Meerut. The SP workers took to the streets in Meerut and gheraohed the local MPs house.
The state Election Commission asked for reports from DMs of the districts where violence has been reported.
The BJP has criticised the SP for the violence in various places in Uttar Pradesh, saying a win does not mean they can resort to violence.
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