On a day when Akhilesh Yadav promised that his party will steer clear of “goonda raj” or any association with criminals, some of his workers are on their worst behaviour.
Earlier this evening, a 12-year-old boy was shot dead when workers fired guns to celebrate the victory of Samajwadi candidate Iqbal Mahmood in the Sambhal constituency of the Bhimnagar district.
Later this evening, in Jhansi, reporters were attacked by Samajwadi Party workers who were upset about a local candidate’s defeat. The police did not intervene despite complaints. The journalists have taken shelter in a classroom in a local school; Samajwadi men are threatening to break down the door. The NDTV crew’s camera has been smashed.
NDTV’s other reporters in UP have contacted senior Samajwadi leaders an hour ago, but the journalists remain under threat.