Police fire in air during Sarpanch poll clash in Jagtial

Jagtial: Tension prevailed in Paidipalli village of Velgatur mandal on Wednesday night after police opened fire in the air to disperse agitating villagers following clashes over sarpanch election results.

The clash erupted during the counting of votes for the sarpanch election held earlier in the day. A BRS-supported candidate, Gangula Manga, was declared elected by the polling officials after completion of counting.

The defeated BJP candidate, Mamatha, along with her supporters, demanded a recount and entered into a heated argument with polling officials, alleging that the results were manipulated at the behest of influential persons.

The protesters staged a demonstration at the polling station and prevented officials from shifting the ballot boxes. Police swung into action and resorted to firing in the air and lathi charge to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control.

Angered by the police action, the agitating crowd pelted stones at the police and damaged police vehicles. A police constable sustained injuries in the stone pelting.

Later, the police shifted the ballot boxes after taking a few youths into custody.