Police tighten security at nomination centres in Punganur after clashes

Police have been placed on high alert across the undivided Chittoor district following a clash involving YSRCP and TDP members in Punganur. Large police contingents have been deployed at nomination centres, with additional security in Punganur and Kuppam. People arriving to file nominations are being admitted only after thorough checks.

Police have registered a case against three people over the previous day’s incident and are investigating. Injured TDP workers are receiving treatment at hospitals in Punganur, Tirupati and CMC Vellore.

The violence broke out on the first day of the municipal election nomination process in Punganur, in Annamayya district. YSRCP cadres allegedly tried to stop TDP candidates from filing their nominations. According to the account provided, a vehicle in a convoy accompanying YSRCP MP Mithun Reddy struck alliance leaders near the Pungamma Cheruvu embankment, leaving several TDP leaders seriously injured.

The account further alleges that people accompanying the convoy, carrying stones, sticks and iron rods, attacked TDP members. TDP leaders retaliated, triggering a clash in which several people were injured. Police used a lathi-charge to disperse the groups and restore order.

TDP candidates filed their nominations later that afternoon, while those injured were taken to hospital. Alliance leaders condemned the damage and violence in Punganur.

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Pavan Bandari

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I am content writer with six years of experience in entertainment and politics besides other modules as well.