Andhra local body polls: Clashes erupt between YSRCP, TDP groups in Kadapa
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Amid ZPTC and MPTC elections, clashes broke out between YSRCP and TDP activists in several areas of Kadapa district on Thursday morning. Two groups of people have attacked each other with petrol bombs in Yerripalli village in Pulivendla mandal of the district.
According to sources, a quarrel started among the agents of YSRCP and TDP while sitting near a polling station in Yerripalli. The groups of both political parties have argued and exchanged harsh words. Meanwhile, some of them reportedly hurled petrol bombs. None were injured in the clash.
Speaking to The Hindu, Pulivendla Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Murali Nayak clarified, “The activists of both parties used firecrackers, which were brought to celebrate after victory, to attack each other. They took out petrol from their bikes to escalate the fight.”
“However, the police forces controlled them within five minutes. Such incidents took place near polling stations in R. Thummalapalli Parnapalli villages in Pulivendla mandal, but the police staff immediately calmed down the situation in these areas respectively,” he informed.
The clashes reportedly happened after Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy toured those polling stations. The TDP workers have alleged that the YSRCP leader encouraged his party cadre to create violence with a fear of failure in ZPTC/ MPTC elections similar to Municipal polls.
Not only in Pulivendula, incidents of pelting stones were reported in Gundlakunta village in Jammalamadugu constituency and Nandalur village in Rajampeta division. The clashes were also witnessed in Chintarajupalli, Railway Kodur and Badvel areas.
District SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath visited the polling stations in Vemula mandal and inspected the security arrangements on the ground. He instructed the police personnel to remain vigilant and ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and impartial manner.
The polling for 16 ZPTC and 55 MPTC constituencies commenced in the district at 7 am. Special security arrangements have been made at 167 highly sensitive, 134 sensitive and five problematic polling stations. Except few areas, the voting was peaceful with 48.92% turnout by 1 pm
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