Violence mars second phase of polling in AP

Clashes between TDP and Congress workers and destruction of EVMs marred the final phase of polling in Andhra Pradesh today, where an average 28 per cent balloting was reported in the early hours of voting.    

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were destroyed by unidentified persons at 15 polling stations in 20 Lok Sabha and 140 assembly segments forcing the authorities to suspend the polling process, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I V Subba Rao told reporters.  

The EVMs were destroyed by pouring water on them or by other means at Rayachoti, Pulivendula, Kamalapuram, Rajampet and Kadapa town in Kadapa district, he said.   

Police fired 30 rounds in air to disperse supporters of TDP and Congress, who clashed at Nagasanipalli village under Maidukur assembly segment after hurling country-made crude bombs at each other, a senior police officer from Kadapa told PTI over phone.    

Police opened three rounds of fire in air to control violent groups of different political parties at Kuchhurpapaypalli in Chapadu Mandal of the district too.   

Stray incidents of violence between TDP and Congress workers was also reported from Goriganur village of Jamalmadagu mandal of Kadapa district. However, there was no reports of any injuries or deaths in the state.