A day after violent protests in Andhra Pradesh, the Kapu community has called off its agitation over the demand for reservation under Backward Class category following assurances from Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
The situation in the East Godavari district in the state is now believed to be under control.
''My government is committed to providing reservation for Kapu community for which a Judicial Commission was also constituted,'' Naidu told reporters.
According to reports, Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham is now chalking out an action plan including undertaking fast-unto-death protest from Monday night to be implemented in case the State government fails to consider his demand.
“If the State government fails to take any positive decision on Kapu reservations issue by Monday evening, then Padmanabham will begin indefinite fast programme to further exert pressure on the government to accord BC status to Kapus,” a Kapu leader told The New Indian Express.
The stir by Kapu community members seeking reservation under Backward Class category turned violent on Sunday morning with agitators setting four coaches of Ratnachal Express on fire at Tuni railway station in East Godavari district, disrupting train movement on the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam section.
At least 15 policemen were injured in the violence.
The agitators had gathered at Tuni to attend a public meeting addressed by their leader and former minister Mudragada Padmanabh, pelted the engine of the train with stones and also attacked police personnel, before ransacking the railway station. Some bogies were also set ablaze.
According to a release issue by South Central Railway, Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Ratnachal Express was stopped at 15.20 hours between Tuni and Hamsavaram railway stations on Rajahmundry Visakhapatnam section of Vijayawada Division by 'Kapunadu Garjana' agitators who sat on the track, climbed on the locomotive and damaged hose pipe/ glasses of the locomotive.
The incident forced authorities to stop all trains running between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada stations, causing a huge inconvenience to passengers.
According to a senior police officer from East Godavari district, the situation is now under control and peaceful and additional forces have been deployed to maintain law and order.
(With inputs from PTI)
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