Three political activists -- two of the ruling Congress and one of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party -- were killed and six others injured in a clash in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

According to the police, the rival groups threw stones and later attacked each other with lethal weapons in Erukalacheruvu village in Krishnagiri mandal early morning. Three persons died on the spot while six others sustained injuries and were shifted to the Government Hospital at Kurnool town for treatment.

The police said that Monday's incident was a sequel to the bickering between the two groups ever since the local bodies (panchayat raj) elections were held earlier this year. Erukalacheruvu village, which was a stronghold of the Telugu Desam, witnessed bitterly-fought elections in which the Congress candidates won both the gram sarpanch (village head)'s post and the mandal parishad (territorial constituency) member's seat.

Frequently, clashes occurred between the rival groups even as the police tried to bring about a truce between them but in vain. Tension mounted in the village from Sunday evening, leading to the free-for-all on Monday. 

Kurnool District Superintendent of Police B Malla Reddy rushed to the village. The bodies of the slain persons were shifted to Kurnool hospital mortuary even as the injured persons were hospitalized. The police posted a picket in the village to prevent breach of peace.