AP local poll peaceful compared to previous year: DGP

Hyderabad, June 28 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Director-General of Police (DGP) Swaranjit Sen today said the poll in the first phase of panchayat elections passed off peacefully compared to the previous panchayat elections of 2001.

Briefing reporters here about the law and order situation in the 11 districts which went to polls, Mr Sen said elections were held for 577 ZPTCs and 7501 MPTCs. Polling went off largely peacefully except for a few minor incidents. ''The situation is peaceful this time as compared to 2001 local polls'', he added.

''Police had to resort to firing into the air at three places in Prakasham district (Akaveedu of Racharla mandal, Pothavaram of PC Palli Mandal and Madanuru of Kothapatnam mandal) two places in Kurnool district (Nossam village of Sanjamala mandal and Chigili of Aspari mandal) and one place in Anantapur district (Tanidepalli village of Amrapur mandal). PSO of one ZPTC candidate opened fire in Benepalli village of Mudanuru Mandal of Kadapa district after the only incident of bomb hurling,'' he said.

Comparing the arrangements in 2001 and 2006 local polls, Mr Sen said 31,703 civil police (31,982 in 2001), 14,010 armed forces (12,985 in 2001), 12,466 home guards (4,618 in 2001) had been deplayed.

He said a total of 61,879 police personnel (52,105 in 2001) had been deployed for supervising 24,756 polling stations in 2,783 revenue routes.

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