Amar Singh, hundreds of SP men hurt in UP protest

Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh and hundreds of workers today suffered injuries in Lucknow as police cracked down on protests by the party across Uttar Pradesh. The party agitation was meant to mount pressure for dislodging the Mayawati government and against the conduct of Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri.

‘‘The fight is not limited to the state alone now. Goons in uniform have attacked me and party workers at the behest of CM Mayawati, for which PM Vajpayee and Dy PM Advani are equally responsible,’’ declared Amar Singh, who suffered lathi blows on his left shoulder.

SP leaders, however, alleged that the crackdown was meant to prevent Amar Singh from moving out of the city aiport on his arrival in the afternoon. ‘‘Police even snatched the keys of the car in which Amar Singh was to be taken and SP workers had to take it back forcibly,’’ said Shivpal, younger brother of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

While the SP put the number of those hurt at more than a hundred, Arun Kumar, DIG, Lucknow Range, denied any excesses.