Scribes taken hostage by SP supporters in Jhansi safe: CEC

Amid reports that some Samajwadi Party supporters clashed with mediapersons in Jhansi of Uttar Pradesh and were held hostage in a room by the mob collected there, Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Tuesday said the journalists were "absolutely safe".

"Just spoke to DGP. There is a mob of 4000. Journalists are absolutely safe. Waiting for the mob to clear," Quraishi tweeted.

Some mediamen were trapped in a room after SP supporters clashed with them and damaged the equipment of some cameramen.

Reports from Jhansi, about 300 km from Lucknow, said supporters of SP clashed with some TV cameramen during which some of their equipment were broken.

A complaint in this regard has been registered with the district administration, sources said.

Counting for the Babina assembly seat in Jhansi had to be stopped after the seal of 17 EVMs were found broken.

Official sources said following objections from SP candidate Chandrapal Singh Yadav counting was stopped in on Tuesday evening and further directions have been sought from the Election Commission in Delhi.

District magistrate Anil Garg when contacted said counting has been stopped after some people raised objections.