
At least 18 people, including six policemen, were injured when a group of lawyers clashed with the police outside the Collectorate compound here today. The injured have been admitted to hospital and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Senior officials, including SSP B D Paulson and DIG Rajiv Ranjan Verma immediately reached the spot to bring the situation under control.
The lawyers have been protesting outside the Collectorate pressing for some of their demands. There has also been resentment over the week-long barricading of the premises on orders of the Election Commission to ensure peaceful filing of nomination papers for the Assembly polls.
The flashpoint came today when Rajesh Yadav came to file his nomination as an Independent from the Allahabad South segment. Presently lodged in Naini Jail, Yadav arrived at the Collectorate in a police van, which was followed by a large number of his supporters. They, including his lawyer Laxmi Shanker Mishra, were stopped at the gate. As per the EC8217;s instructions, not more than five persons can accompany a candidate for filing nomination.
Supporters of Mishra and Yadav allegedly tried to force their way into the compound, which led to the clash. They were later joined by the protesting members of the High Court Bar Association, the police said.
8220;The situation has been brought under control. The guilty will not be spared as we have the video recording of the entire incident,8221; said Ranjan. 8220;This is not the first time that the lawyers and police have clashed in or outside the Collectorate compound. They have always been at loggerheads in Allahabad,8221; said R N Pandey, a senior HC lawyer.