Prakasham: Tragedy struck East Veerayapalem in Darsi mandal. Unable to bear the defeat in Panchayat polls, a candidate allegedly committed suicide.

Around 500 Telugu Desam Party (TDP) activists held a protest in front of the Darsi police station alleging that the the female woman sarpanch candidate Venkata Ratnam (39), committed suicide after a Circle Inspector abused and scolded her, Darsi DSP K K Venkata Lakshmi said.

Venkata Ratnam, who had contested the panchayat polls with TDP support narrowly lost the Turpuveerayapalem sarpanch post to her rival by a margin of 12 votes. Based on her demand, a recount was conducted, which confirmed her defeat by 12 votes, the DSP explained. Later, she committed suicide at her residence early morning today, after feeling humiliated about losing polls.

Her kin accused a Circle Inspector of abetting her to commit suicide after she was abused by him. As per our report, the Circle Inspector never came in contact with the woman and did not have any conversation with her, the police official said.

However, TDP activists held a protest placing the dead woman's body in front of the Darsi police station. After a five-hour protest, the police tried to shift the body, but protesters refused to hand it over and began pelting stones at the police station, the DSP said.

When the mob turned violent, the police warned them, and initially resorted to a baton charge.Later, the police fired teargas shells to disperse them and brought the situation under control, the police official said. Around 50 protesters were also taken into custody in connection with the violence even as a case was registered against the Circle Inspector under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.