One killed in LB polls in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, July 2 (UNI) Barring a murder, mine blasts on Khammam and Chattisgarh border and stray incidents of bomb hurling the second phase of elections for 520 ZPTCs and 7865 MPTCs in 11 districts in Andhra Pradesh, passed off peacefully today.

Talking to newspersons here, Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen said one Congress activist was stabbed to death in group clashes between Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supporters near Kanaparru village of Nadendla mnadal.

He said Maoists triggered a mine blasts between Kurapalli and Bodanelli village of Cherla Mandal in Chattisgarh border in Bhadrachalam area of Khammam district but there were no casualties.

''These are two notable incidents during the second phase of elections to local bodies'', he added.

Mr Sen said four cases of bomb hurling were reported at Ikkuru village, Kanaparu village, Chinna Garlapadu village and Gonepudi village in Guntur district, compared to 11 cases in 2001.

He said police had to resort to opening fire into air at three places in 11 districts, compared to six during 2001.

The police opened fire in air at one place each in Guntur district, Mahbubnagar and Nellore district, he adding six such cases were reported from 11 districts in 2001.

The DGP said as many as 20,570 persons were bound over from 11 districts this year, whereas 18,403 persons were bound over during 2001.

He said during 2001 local body polls there were as many as 118 pre-poll offences, including two murders, apart from rioting, hurt, arson and kidnapping in 11 districts, whereas this year, there were 93 pre-poll offences, including three murders, one each in Warangal, Mahbubnagar and Guntur districts.

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