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SP observes `black day' in U.P.

Special Correspondent

Protest against the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein

LUCKNOW: Forcible closure of commercial establishments by Samajwadi Party workers led to clashes at several places in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The day was observed as "black day" by the Samajwadi Party in protest against the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Though the protest here passed off peacefully, clashes between SP workers and traders were witnessed in Unnao and Agra. Even as the State Home Department denied reports of violence in these places, clashes broke out in Unnao, 60 km from Lucknow, following attempts by party activists to force closure of shops. Half a dozen persons were injured in incidents of stone throwing by the rival groups.

A place of worship was reported to have been damaged but this was denied by the Home Department spokesperson.

In Agra, SP workers damaged a tourist bus by hurling stones, causing injuries to some tourists.

Special Secretary (Home) Manju Chandra told newspersons that one shop was damaged following resistance by shopkeepers to down their shutters in Etah. She said clashes also occurred in Sitapur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Hardoi.

In Alahabad, SP workers stopped movement of trains at Prayag railway station which is currently witnessing a huge inflow of pilgrims for the Ardh Kumbh.

Meanwhile in Lucknow, the SP workers marched in a procession from the city unit office in Kaiserbagh and after passing through Aminabad and Lalbagh reached the posh Hazratganj area. Raising anti-Bush slogans with placards proclaiming Mr. Hussein as a "martyr", and demanding that the US President be punished, the SP workers torched Mr Bush's effigies.

The protest was attended by Family Welfare Minister Ahmed Hasan and all four Rajya Sabha MPs from Lucknow - Virendra Bhatia, Ram Narain Sahu, Banwari Lal Kanchhal and Bhagwati Singh.

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SP observes `black day' in U.P.

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