In a stern warning issued in Lucknow on Wednesday, the Mayawati government issued a stern warning for those indulging in booth capturing during the on-going panchayat polls in the state.
Taking serious note of violence during Sunday's first round of polling in the four-phased Panchayat elections across Uttar Pradesh , the government made it loud and clear, "no one howsoever powerful, will not be allowed to play with the rule of law and anyone found violating the sanctity of polling booths through acts of violence would be liable to be shot there and then."
"This step was necessitated in view of the escalated violence seen during the first phase of polling on Sunday , when certain groups not only indulged clashes, exchange of firing , arson and even killing and even stormed into polling booths and assaulted poll officials", said Additional Director General of Police, Brij Lal.
He said, "Security too has been enhanced in each of the 68 districts