Friday, May 13 2005 17:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Six TDP (Telugu Desam Party) workers and an Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) were killed and 38 injured as Opposition clashed with police during filing of nominations for by-polls to Penukonda assembly constituency, in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh today (May 13, 2005).

Four persons were killed in police firing and two died in ensuing stampede and while ASI, Hulappa, injured in stone-pelting, succumbed to injuries at a hospital, police said.

Trouble started when a large number of TDP supporters, gathered at the office of the Returning Officer, shouted slogans as TDP nominee P Sunita, wife of slained TDP leader Paritala Ravi, arrived at the scene along with senior leaders, and started pelting stones at the police.

When situation went out of control police opened fire in which four persons were killed, leading to stampede in the narrow lane, claiming two more lives, police said.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, official sources said.

Meanwhile, Sunitha filed her nominations for the poll to be held on June 2.

Reviewing the situation at a high level meeting, Chief Minister Y S Rajsekhar Reddy directed Home Minister K Jana Reddy and DGP Swaranjeet Sen to go to the spot, while TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The injured were admitted to various hospitals in the district, police said adding that angry TDP activists later torched buses and other private vehicles in the town.

The situation at present is under control, said DIG Anantpur, N Jayarami Reddy.