ECI takes serious note of violence in AP; Issues summons to CS and DGP

Vijayawada: An incensed Election Commission summoned the AP Chief Secretary and DGP to New Delhi, asking them to appear before it on Thursday and explain the reasons for the poll-related violence in the state since Monday, the polling day.

There was unprecedented violence in the state on polling day and thereafter too in some constituencies out of the total 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha segments.

While voting was on, polling agents were abducted and group clashes occurred between the YSRC and Telugu Desam activists. Incidents of hurling of country made bombs were reported from parts of Anantapur, Annamaiah and Palnadu districts.

Violence erupted massively even as intelligence reports had forewarned of violence at the time of polling and the election authorities deployed the police and central forces in strength.

Tadipatri, Macherla, Chandragiri and Narasaraopet also witnessed violence in a post-poll scenario involving contestants too at some places.

The Election Commission itself has come in for sharp criticism as it had abruptly transferred and replaced the state DGP midway through the polls. This is cited to be one reason for the failure to check violence on polling day.