Poll clash; tension in AP village

Kakinada, Feb 1 (UNI) Tension prevailed in Veeravaram village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh following a clash between Congress and TDP activists today over the alleged abduction of a Congress candidate and attack on a polling official in connection with Water Users Association election.

The trouble started after Congressmen complained to the police that one of their candidate was kidnapped by rival TDP. However, TDP denied and maintained that the candidate had voluntarily joined their party.

When the polling was in progress in the village in Kirlampudi mandal, a miscreant allegedly hurled a lighted petrol bottle through the window targeting the poll officials causing burns on the hand of one person. Following the incident, election authorities immediately announced postponement of the poll.

Superintendent of Police Battini Srinivasulu rushed to the village. Policemen were deployed in the village to maintain peace.

Sub Divisional Police Officer Babu Rao, camping in the village told UNI over phone that the situation was peaceful.

He said no arrests have been made but two cases-- one for kidnapping and another for throwing lighted petrol bottle on poll officials -- were registered.

UNI XR/BR SP RAI2010