Incidents 'less' than in 1996, Govt. tells Governor

By Our Special Correspondent CHENNAI, OCT. 20. Amid a spate of complaints of violence during the two-phase civic election, the Government has informed the State Election Commission and the Governor that the ``incidents were evidently less''.

In its letter to the State Election Commissioner, Mr. P. S. Pandyan, a copy of which was sent to the Governor, Mr. C. Rangarajan as well, the Government has maintained that the incidents reported were much fewer than what was witnessed during the 1996 civic elections.

According to sources here, the Government has explained that considering the scale of operation and limited availability of police, the incidents were ``less''.

The Government has also given details of violence during the 1996 polls in comparison to the present election to drive home the point that incidents were ``much less''. The Government's letter comes in response to the State Election Commission's harsh communication on reports of police failure to avert ``booth capturing''.

The Opposition DMK and the Congress had also petitioned the Governor, urging him to take steps to ensure that action was initiated against the ruling party men who were responsible for the poll violence and rigging.

Official sources here said the Governor had forwarded the memoranda of the Opposition parties to the Government for ``necessary action''.

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Section  : Southern States
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