Seven killed in U.P. panchayat poll violence

By Our Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW, JUNE 14. Seven persons were killed and 25 injured as bomb blast and firings marred the first phase of panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh today. Polling was affected at a number of centres in Etah, Mainpuri, Ferozabad and Pratapgarh districts, reports said.

The leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Mr. Ahmed Hasan, has demanded cancellation of the elections and repolling in Etah district and alleged that the district Magistrate and Superintendent of Police were responsible for ``vitiating the elections''.

Reports said that four persons were killed and several injured in Mainpuri district as workers of rival parties clashed. Official sources, however, put the toll at two, saying that the other two deaths were not poll-related.

In Baghpat district, one person was killed and eight others, including some policemen were injured. Police later fired shots to scare away clashing groups. Ballot papers at some polling booths here were destroyed by miscreants.

One death each was reported from the districts of Bahraich and Shrawasti. In Bahraich, 12 persons sustained injuries as rival groups exchanged fire. The condition of three among those injured was stated to be serious. Latest reports from Bahraich said that a group of BJP workers was sitting on a dharna demanding repolling.

An estimated 55 per cent voters were reported to have exercised their franchise in the first phase of polling in 70 districts. The next phases of polling would take place on June 17, 20 and 24.

The Samajwadi Party had earlier demanded the transfer of the district Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of Etah who ``were functioning as BJP agents''.

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