The Hindu : Other States / Uttar Pradesh News : Violence mars polling in U.P.

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Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

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Violence mars polling in U.P.

LUCKNOW, OCT. 13. At least three people were killed in two separate incidents as Uttar Pradesh recorded around 53 per cent voting for by-elections to one Lok Sabha and 12 Assembly seats today.

Polling, which began on a dull note, gained momentum in the afternoon. But later the voters failed to maintain the tempo. The Chief Electoral Officer, Vijay Sharma, told reporters here that 53 per cent votes were cast till evening.

Mr. Sharma said complaints of malpractice were received from all constituencies where by-polls were held today.

A report from Mainpuri said two persons were killed in firing between rival groups associated with the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) during bypolls to Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat. About 60 per cent polling was recorded till 5 p.m.

Rival workers clashed at a polling both in Sarai Mughalpur area of the constituency and opened fire at each other in which two people -- Anil Kumar and one other -- were killed on the spot. Following the incident, polling at the booth was suspended.

Meanwhile, a report of exchange of fire between SP and BSP workers in Maidepur village under Mainpuri constituency was also received. However, no one was reported to be hurt in the firing.

By-election to the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat was necessitated after Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav vacated it to remain a member of the State Assembly.

An initial report from Atrauli received by the CEO's office claimed one person was killed in poll-related incident.

A report from Muzaffarnagar said clashes broke out in Baghra assembly constituency between supporters of rival candidates.

Polling for the Allahabad (West) and Karchhana Assembly seat also began amid tight security. Police said except for a minor incident of scuffle between the SP and BSP workers at Sallahpur village in Allahabad (west) area, the polling was going on peacefully.

At Auta polling station in Karchhana assembly constituency one person was seriously injured when some SP workers allegedly attacked him while six people were injured in Manikpur area when SP and BSP workers opened fire on each other.

Seventy-year-old Ramesh Chandra Shukla, representing a Hindi daily, who had gone to cover the by-poll died on the spot after suffering a heart attack in Bibipur area of Barabanki.

Altogether, 174 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, including 13 for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat.

The 12 Assembly seats where bypolls are being held are Milkipur, Mujehna, Atrauli, Ghaziabad, Ahirauri, Madiyahun, Allahabad (west), Karchhana, Iglas, Baghra, Siddhaur and Saidpur.

UNI

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Violence mars polling in U.P.