Second phase of Panchayat polls peaceful

Hyderabad, Aug 2 (UNI) Barring sporadic incidents of clashes, the second phase of the Panchayat polls in Andhara Pradesh, passed off peacefully today.

Though the exact figure of voting was not available, it was estimated to be over 80 per cent. By 1100 hrs, 56.31 per cent voting was registered.

The second phase of polling was held for 7,886 Grama Panchayats and 78,612 wards in 28 revenue divisions of the state. Polling started at 0700 hrs and ended at 1300 hrs.

Counting began at 1400 hrs and the results are expected by late night.

Clashes between different parties were reported from Krishna, Prakasham, Guntur and Kadapa districts. Police had to intervene and resort to lathicharge to disperse clashing groups.

Polling was reported to be peaceful in Warangal, Nalgonda, East Godavari, Srikakulamm, West Godavari, Chittoor, Adilabad and other districts. Despite rains heavy polling was reported in Srikakulam.

However in the adjoining Vijayanagaram and Visakhapatnam districts, polling percentage was dull due to rain.

In Chittoor, the native district of TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, polling was reported to be dull.

In Vijayanagaram, polling was disrupted by rain. While 513 panchayats went to polls in the second phase, election was unanimous in 103 Panchayats. Polling had to be halted for a while in Akulalpet Panchayat in Denkada mandal when a clash ensured between the agents of two rival parties.

In Krishna district, clashes occurred in Lakshmipuram and Gudimetla villages when some miscreants poured ink in the ballot boxes and snatched away boxes at some booths. When two groups clashed, 15 persons including Sarpanch candidate Mr Katamraju were injured. In Shivapuram village under Penuganchiprolu mandal ten persons were injured in a clash.

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