Booth capturing, violence mar second phase of polling

A TDP worker was killed and over 15 people injured in clashes between Congress and TDP activists while naxalites blasted a polling booth during the the second and final phase of election in Andhra Pradesh, which witnessed 30 to 35 per cent voter turnout till noon, official sources said.

A TDP activist P Srinu was stabbed to death allegedly by Congress activists near a polling booth at Pallam village in East Godavari district, where polling was suspended for some time, police said.

TDP and Congress activists hurled crude bombs at each other at Remidicherla village under Narsaraopet assembly segment from where the state Medical and Health Minister K Sivaprasada Rao is seeking re-election.

However, no one was injured in the incident, a report from Guntur said.

Film star Roja, who is contesting from Nagari Assembly seat in Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's home district of Chittoor on a TDP ticket, was attacked allegedly by Congress activists when she tried to enter Koppedu, the native village of Congress candidate R Chenga Reddy.

Roja escaped unhurt and was led to safety by the police.

Police opened fire in the air to disperse clashing mobs of TDP and Congress activists at several places in Cuddapah and Kurnool districts. Reports of group clashes also poured in from Guntur, Nellore and Kurnool districts.

A Congress worker was injured in a group clash at Vidirajupalli village in Cuddpah, the home district of Congress star campainer and former CLP leader, Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.