Police booked 16 cases against those who resorted to violence while filing nominations in 13 districts in the State on Thursday, said Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta.

Overall, 31 incidents were reported, including eight in Anantapur district, three each in Annamayya, Kadapa, Tirupati and Prakasam districts, were reported. Nomination papers were either destroyed, snatched, or torn in the 16 incidents, while stone pelting and attacks were reported in six incidents. Four vehicles were set on fire and two houses were damaged, the DGP said in a press release on Thursday.

A police constable, a contesting candidate and few others suffered injuries in stone pelting and clashes, Mr. Harish Kumar Gupta said.

Police identified 54 trouble mongers involved in poll-related incidents, and efforts are under way to trace the remaining accused.

Instructions have been given to the SPs and Police Commissioners to identify all those involved in clashes and stone pelting incidents and to book cases under BNS and other provisions, the DGP added.