The Election Commission of India (ECI) expressing its anger over the violence that broke out in Andhra Pradesh on the polling day and thereafter, has resorted to stern action against as many as 14 officers. While it suspended Palnadu and Anantapur SPs, it ordered for the transfer of Palnadu Collector and Tirupati SP. It suspended 12 more subordinate police officers in these three districts.
It has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP on Thursday evening immediately to remove both the SPs from their duties and departmental action against them. Also ordered departmental action against Palnadu Collector and Tirupati SP after their transfer.
The ECI deplored that on the polling day May 13,there was a lot of violence in Palnadu, Tirupati and Anantapur districts and the authorities completely failed to control it. After a meeting with the CS and DGP on Thursday, the three ECI commissioners met and expressed extreme intolerance over the incidents of violence in AP.
They expressed the view that the state government machinery has completely failed. Without mincing any words, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure that such violence was not repeated and tasked all SPs with taking preemptive measures to avoid such situations in the future. It has warned that stricter action will be taken if such incidents are repeated again.
The ECI has ordered that every case of violence in the state should be taken up separately and a SIT should be constituted on each case and a report should be submitted within two days. FIRs to be filed cases under all relevant sections of the IPC have been ordered.
In view of the seriousness of the situation in the state, the EC said that the central forces should be kept in the state for 15 days after the counting of votes. CAPF forces of 25 companies are already in Andhra Pradesh.
ECI suggested the Home Department continue those forces in the state for 15 days even after counting. The ECI said that the forces will ensure that untoward incidents do not take place after the counting.