Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh reported 31 election-related incidents across 13 districts on Thursday during the filing of nominations for the MPTC and ZPTC elections, including 16 instances of nomination papers being snatched, torn or destroyed.
Harish Kumar Gupta, The Director General of Police (DGP) called the destruction of papers a "direct attack on democracy" and warned that those involved in violence and intimidation would face criminal action irrespective of political affiliation.
Of the 31 incidents, 22 involved violence, clashes or public-order disturbances, while nine were separately reported cases of papers being snatched or torn, as officials said. The papers were destroyed at nomination centre gates, inside centres and within a Returning Officer's office. Candidates of the TDP, YSRCP and CPI(M), along with an independent, were targeted.
A police constable suffered a grievous head injury, and two people, including a contesting candidate, were critically injured. Several others were hurt in three clashes.
Four vehicles, two cars and two motorcycles, were set on fire. Two houses were attacked, one of them demolished with an earth-mover. Six incidents involved stone-pelting or attacks with sticks, and one involved firing in the air. A police vehicle escorting candidates was damaged in stone-pelting, and three incidents involved road blockades.
Anantapur recorded the most incidents at eight. Annamayya, Kadapa, Prakasam and Tirupati reported three each, while Chittoor, Sri Sathya Sai and Palnadu reported two each. Nellore, Kurnool, Markapuram, Nandyal and Eluru reported one each.
Police have registered 16 cases, including counter-cases, and are processing cases for 11 more incidents. At least 54 people have been named as accused, and police apprehended four at the scene. Police used lathi-charge on three occasions and fired two tear-gas shells to disperse a mob attacking a police vehicle.
The DGP said CCTV footage, videos and photographs were being examined to identify more accused. Police have been directed to register pending cases, arrest offenders and strengthen security at sensitive nomination centres. The public can report threats or violence by dialling 100 or 112.