U.P. civic polls 2nd phase: :Minor clashes, 54% turnout in Meerut
Initially, polling was slow but picked up in the afternoon and long queues were seen outside polling booths, especially in Muslim areas. Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure fair and peaceful polling.
MEERUT Barring a few clashes between supporters of candidates, polling remained peaceful in Meerut, Baghpat and Bulandshahr districts on Thursday.
People came out in large numbers to cast their vote and 54 per cent voting was observed in Meerut district.
Minor clashes occurred between supporters of BJP and an independent candidate at a booth in Pallavpuram locality . Another minor clash was reported between BJP supporters and RLD workers at Taxshila School booth in Kankerkhera. BJP’s candidate for Mayor Harikant Ahluwalia and other BJP leaders accused RLD supporters of preventing people from casting their votes. The matter was reported to police and officials rushed to the spot and ensured that all voters cast their votes.
The Samajwadi Party tweeted a video of patry candidate Archana Pandey and accused BJP workers of misbehaving with her at Yamunapuram booth in Bulandshahr. Pandey could be seen crying in the video and people around her accusing BJP workers for her condition but police did nothing, the party said.
SP MLA from Sardhana Atul Pradhan, whose wife Seema Pradhan is contesting for Mayorship on the party’s ticket, accused sub inspector Neeraj Baghel of applying force on party voters and agent at Fatehullapur booth and demanded action against him. A video of the SI was also released in which he could be seen charging lathi on people standing at the counter of SP outside the polling booth.
On Wednesday night, supporters of ward councillor candidates clashed at Kidwai Nagar locality of Baraut in Baghpat on Wednesday night. They hurled stones at cops who arrived there to prevent a clash, causing injuries to two cops. Additional force was called thereafter and 12 people were taken into custody. Inspector of Barsut police station Janak Singh Chouhan said that two cops sustained injuries and were undergoing treatment. “A case has been registered against 10 known and 40 unknown people and further action would be initiated after polling gets over,” he said.
Initially, polling was slow but picked up in the afternoon and long queues were seen outside polling booths, especially in Muslim areas. Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure fair and peaceful polling. Officials kept a close watch on booths, especially in sensitive areas, through control-room connected with CCTV cameras. Besides, officials also visited different polling centres and booths to inspect security arrangements.
