<p>As BJP claimed victory in the Uttar Pradesh block panchayat polls on Saturday, several scattered incidents of violence were reported from 17 districts during the election process.</p>.<p>Multiple incidents of stone-pelting, policemen thrashing reporters and resorting to baton-charge to disperse mobs were reported from different parts of the state.</p>.<p>Retired IAS officer Surya Pratap Singh questioned the "relentless sycophancy" of a senior journalist after a video of a reporter "being beaten like an animal" went viral.</p>.<p>Several purported videos of clashes between supporters of rival parties and police and workers of political parties were also posted on social media.</p>.<p>In one such video, which was also shown by news channels, the Additional Superintendent of Police (city) of Etawah Prashant Kumar Prasad is heard telling a senior over the phone, "Sir, I have been slapped. BJP workers have also brought bombs."</p>.<p>Etawah police spokesperson confirmed the incident on Sunday. The incident took place in the Barhpura block of the district. A case has been registered against one identified and some unidentified people, he said.</p>.<p><strong>'Democracy held hostage by BJP'</strong></p>.<p>Polling for the 476 posts of block panchayat chiefs was held from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, following which counting of votes had commenced.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Chief Minister Adityanath praised the State Election Commission for conducting "peaceful and fair" elections.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="http://deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/up-block-panchayat-polls-big-victory-for-bjp-opposition-slams-yogi-government-over-violence-1007169.html" target="_blank">UP block panchayat polls: 'Big victory' for BJP; Opposition slams Yogi government over violence</a></strong></p>.<p>The opposition parties, however, accused the BJP government of misusing official machinery in the elections and unleashing "anarchy".</p>.<p>“Democracy in Uttar Pradesh has been held hostage by BJP,” Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged.</p>.<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>
<p>As BJP claimed victory in the Uttar Pradesh block panchayat polls on Saturday, several scattered incidents of violence were reported from 17 districts during the election process.</p>.<p>Multiple incidents of stone-pelting, policemen thrashing reporters and resorting to baton-charge to disperse mobs were reported from different parts of the state.</p>.<p>Retired IAS officer Surya Pratap Singh questioned the "relentless sycophancy" of a senior journalist after a video of a reporter "being beaten like an animal" went viral.</p>.<p>Several purported videos of clashes between supporters of rival parties and police and workers of political parties were also posted on social media.</p>.<p>In one such video, which was also shown by news channels, the Additional Superintendent of Police (city) of Etawah Prashant Kumar Prasad is heard telling a senior over the phone, "Sir, I have been slapped. BJP workers have also brought bombs."</p>.<p>Etawah police spokesperson confirmed the incident on Sunday. The incident took place in the Barhpura block of the district. A case has been registered against one identified and some unidentified people, he said.</p>.<p><strong>'Democracy held hostage by BJP'</strong></p>.<p>Polling for the 476 posts of block panchayat chiefs was held from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, following which counting of votes had commenced.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Chief Minister Adityanath praised the State Election Commission for conducting "peaceful and fair" elections.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="http://deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/up-block-panchayat-polls-big-victory-for-bjp-opposition-slams-yogi-government-over-violence-1007169.html" target="_blank">UP block panchayat polls: 'Big victory' for BJP; Opposition slams Yogi government over violence</a></strong></p>.<p>The opposition parties, however, accused the BJP government of misusing official machinery in the elections and unleashing "anarchy".</p>.<p>“Democracy in Uttar Pradesh has been held hostage by BJP,” Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged.</p>.<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>
