UP put on high security alert for vote counting

A state of high security alert was sounded in Uttar Pradesh ahead of counting of votes for 80 Lok Sabha seats Friday, an official said Thursday.

Fearing clashes between supporters of winning and losing candidates, the state government asked all district officials to be vigilant for the next fortnight.

A state government spokesman here said all victory processions and other poll-result related events have been banned.

The local intelligence units have been sensitised, an official told IANS. Intelligence is also being gathered on goons and lumpen elements who may disrupt peace in sensitive areas, the official said.

Besides, police were asked to step up patrolling in sensitive areas like Azamgarh, Varanasi, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Faizabad and in minority dominated areas.

Director General of Police A.L. Banerjee, at a video-conference with district police chiefs, range and zonal officials, has asked them not to use telephone sets during the counting day. He directed them to use wireless sets.