Violence Marks UP Local Elections As Counting Begins After Voting

Violence in several places on Saturday tarred local polls in Uttar Pradesh, where political developments have assumed heightened significance ahead of the all-important state elections early next year. There were reports of violence from the Hamirpur district where opposition Samajwadi Party workers alleged that BJP activists attacked them with sticks and stopped their voters from reaching the polling booths. Policemen were also beaten up in the clash and vehicles damaged.