Hyderabad, April 14: The DGP, Mr K. Aravinda Rao, on Wednesday ordered the Kadapa district police to open fire in case of violence during the byelections to Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly seats.
The decision comes in the wake of police anticipating that violence may erupt as the campaign trail picks up for the Kadapa bypolls. The DGP confirmed issuing orders to open fire against those resorting to violence, rioting, throwing bombs, using deadly weapons and attacks and counter attacks by rivals. During a recent meeting with police officials, the Election Commission had asked them to ensure that polls are held peacefully and told them that there is no restriction on forces. Police officials, who ana-lysed the poll violence and related incidents of previous years, estimated that they need 127 companies of central paramilitary forces, but settled down to 70.
–Agencies