The Samajwadi Party, which is all set to form the government in Uttar Pradesh, today vowed to tackle any lawlessness sternly in the wake of incidents of violence allegedly involving its workers in the last few days.

“Law and order situation will be improved. It will be better. If anyone is found indulging in goondaism, even if he is a SP worker, he will be punished severely,” party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav told reporters after he called the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Secretary, MR Anup Kumar Mishra, and reviewed the situation.

The two officers reached the SP headquarters this afternoon to meet Mr Yadav and his son, party state president Akhilesh Yadav.

“At the meeting, the officers were directed to ensure law and order and initiate strict action against those involved in violent incidents,” party sources said.

Akhilesh alleged that there is an attempt to defame SP by creating law and order problem after its massive victory.

“No one from the Samajwadi Party (SP) is involved in these incidents.... You can get it verified from your own sources as well... but if anyone from the party is found involved, stern action would be taken against them, however strong they might be,” he told reporters here.

Blaming officers for these incidents, Akhilesh said that as they know they would be removed after the formation of the SP government, they are not taking interest in maintaining law and order, he said.

“Law should take its own course... The party will not be defending anyone involved in violent incidents. We will also not hesitate to expel party workers involved in such incidents if found guilty,” he said.

Akhilesh said that the incidents could be the handiwork of frustrated elements who suffered electoral defeat. In the 2007, the SP had suffered a rout due to various factors, including the alleged spurt in crime.

A BSP worker and former village head was lynched in Agra while two houses were set ablaze in a clash between two communities in Sitapur.

In Jhansi, supporters of SP clashed with some TV cameramen during which some of their equipments were broken. A youth died of bullet injuries during a clash between supporters of a defeated SP candidate and police in Firozabad.

About the Jhansi incident, Akhilesh said it was clash of two groups while Firozabad incident was a fallout of misinformation that spread regarding victory of SP candidate, who actually lost.

The party will be strictly dealing with such activities, he said.

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