Violence marks second phase of polls

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 15. The second phase of the elections to Zilla and Mandal Parishads held today was marked by widespread clashes between Telugu Desam Party and Congress activists in Cuddapah and Prakasam districts, the death of a People's War Group (PWG) naxalite, who laid a landmine trap for the police, and police opening fire in about a dozen places to disperse clashing groups.

In Potlapadu village in Prakasam district, a Telugu Desam Party activist was killed and four others were injured when a crowd laid siege to a polling booth from which they tried to snatch ballot boxes. A group of Congress activists then stabbed a TDP worker. In Manthani Mantaram village in Karimnagar district, the PWG laid in wait for a police party to visit a polling booth there but the policemen came by walk when the PWG triggered the mine. The police then opened fire killing the naxalite.

A TDP MLA, Mr S. Palakondarayudu, was injured when he was attacked at Boreddigaripalle in Chinna mandam mandal of Cuddapah district and his jeep was set on fire. Police detained Mr. M. Narayana Reddy, former MLA of the Congress, in this connection.

Police opened fire in the air at Sivarampuram and Kolivigundala villages of Prakasam and Kukkadam village of Nalgonda district. No one was injured. Police made lathi-charge to disperse TDP and Congress workers at Konetinapalem and Bukkarayasamudram villages of Anantapur district. Eight persons were injured.

Barring these incidents, there was a heavy turnout of about 65 to 70 per cent of voters in these elections. Considering that the Rayalaseema districts had a history of violence and north Telangana districts had a naxalite presence, the level of violence witnessed today was considered less than what happened in earlier elections.

Repolling will take place tomorrow in specified booths while counting of votes will take place on Tuesday.

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Section  : Southern States
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