Andhra reports 31 incidents during local body poll nominations

Andhra Pradesh reported 31 election-related incidents across 13 districts during local body poll nominations on Thursday, including clashes, attacks and destruction of nomination papers. Police booked 16 cases, named at least 54 accused and warned of further legal action.

Amaravati: At least 31 election-related incidents, including violence and destruction of nomination papers, were reported across 13 districts in Andhra Pradesh during local body poll nominations on Thursday, State DGP Harish Kumar Gupta said.

Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta said 22 incidents involved violence, clashes or public order disturbances, while nine pertained to nomination papers being snatched or torn.

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“During the local body poll nomination process, 31 election-related incidents, including violence, clashes and destruction of nomination papers, were reported across 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh,” Gupta said in an official release late on Thursday.

Anantapur district reported eight incidents, followed by Annamayya, Kadapa, Prakasam and Tirupati with three each. Chittoor, Sri Sathya Sai and Palnadu reported two each, while five other districts reported one each.

Across the State, 16 instances of nomination papers being snatched, torn or destroyed were recorded, the DGP said, adding that six incidents involved stones being hurled or attacks with stones and sticks, while four vehicles were set on fire.

Two residential houses were attacked or damaged, with one demolished using an earth-mover. One incident of firing in the air was reported, while three incidents involved road blockades, sit-ins or traffic obstruction.

A police vehicle escorting three candidates to a nomination centre was attacked with stones, leaving a constable with a grievous head injury. Two people, including a contesting candidate, received serious injuries.

Several others were injured in three clashes. Candidates belonging to the TDP, YSRCP and CPI(M), along with an independent candidate, were among those targeted during the nomination process.

Nomination papers were snatched or torn at Mandal Parishad office gates, inside nomination centres and within a Returning Officer’s office. In one instance, papers were snatched while a candidate was showing them to police.

Police booked 16 cases, while registration of cases relating to 11 further incidents was underway. Four persons were apprehended at the spot, and at least 54 people were named as accused.

Preventive action under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was taken against two persons. Police resorted to lathi-charge on three occasions and fired two tear-gas shells to disperse a mob.

Video recordings, CCTV footage and photographs are being examined to identify those involved, with the number of accused likely to increase as investigations progress, Gupta said.

The DGP warned that those involved in the incidents would face legal action, irrespective of political affiliation.

The provisions invoked include sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to causing hurt, wrongful restraint, assault on public servants, unlawful assembly, rioting, election-related undue influence, disobedience of orders, mischief and criminal trespass.

Police said organisers and instigators of violence would also face action if their involvement was established. Carrying weapons near nomination centres, polling stations or election gatherings would invite prosecution.

Those involved in the incidents, including people with a history of election violence, could face preventive proceedings and binding-over action. History-sheets would be opened wherever justified, Gupta said.

All Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police were directed to register pending cases without delay, identify and arrest offenders, and deploy additional forces at sensitive nomination centres and villages.