JAGTIAL
The Velgatur police have stepped up investigation into the stone-pelting incident in which four police officers were injured soon after completion of vote counting during the final phase of Gram Panchayat polls in Paidipally village of Jagtial district on Wednesday night.
Chaos prevailed in Paidipally on Wednesday night when the supporters of a defeated candidate staged a sit-in in front of the polling station demanding recounting of votes soon after the vote counting process.
According to the police, the protesters prevented the transportation of ballot boxes by obstructing the polling staff from discharging their official duties.
Despite attempts to persuade them, they allegedly tried to damage polling materials forcing the police to resort to mild lathi-charge to control the situation.
In the melee, the protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel resulting in injuries to four police officers and damage to two police vehicles. As tension mounted, police resorted to firing in the air to disperse the protesters and bring the situation under control.
Additional police personnel rushed to the village to defuse tension. All the ballot boxes and the polling personnel were safely evacuated from the location under tight police security.
Based on the complaints lodged by the Returning Officer and local police officers, the Velgatur police registered two separate cases against the culprits concerned for violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Strict legal action will be taken against those responsible for the incident, said Jagtial DSP Raghu Chander.
Published – December 18, 2025 07:57 pm IST
