Tension erupts at polling booth during second phase of Telangana panchayat polls

Hyderabad: Tension flared at a polling station in Dharmaram village of Dichpally mandal in Nizamabad district on Sunday during the second phase of Telangana panchayat polls, following a clash between rival sarpanch candidates.

According to officials, supporters of two candidates engaged in a heated argument near the polling booth. Each side accused the other of attempting booth rigging and illegally canvassing voters inside the polling centre.

Police use mild force to restore order

As tempers rose, supporters of one candidate rushed towards the polling station and attempted to enter the booth. Police personnel on duty stopped them, leading to a brief scuffle. Subsequently, police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.

After the intervention, polling resumed normally at the booth. Election officials said voting continued without further disruption.

Meanwhile, polling during the second phase of Telangana panchayat polls progressed peacefully in several other mandals across Nizamabad district, with voters turning out in good numbers.