A few days ago, the agitators had pelted the engine of Ratnachal Express train with stones and also attacked police personnel before ransacking the railway station at Tuni.
Former minister and Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham today began an indefinite fast along with his wife in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district demanding inclusion of the community in Backward Classes category.
Mr Padmanabham whose agitation in support of the demand had turned violent a few days back, began the fast at his native Kirlampudi village in East Godavari.
He demanded that the Kapu reservation issue be resolved in about three months and that Rs 1,000 crores be given annually for the benefit of the community.
The leader also sought that false cases should not be filed against the community members in connection with the violent incidents that took place when 'Kapu Garjana' (roar of Kapus) public meeting was conducted on Sunday last.
An inquiry by Central Bureau of Investigation may also be ordered into the violence in which a train, a police station and government and private vehicles were set on fire, he said.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made at Kirlampudi and other villages in East Godavari district in view of the
fast by Mr Padmanabham.
Two ruling Telegu Desam Party (TDP) legislators Thota Thrimurthulu and Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, who belong to Kapu community, held talks with Mr Padmanabham last night, as part of efforts to end the row.
They, however, said they met Mr Padmanabham in their individual capacity as concerned Kapu legislators and not as government representatives. The two legislators told me to be flexible in dealing with the government, Mr Padmanabham said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu yesterday asked Justice (retired) Manjunatha, chairman of the government appointed commission to look into the issues of backward classes and submit the report at the earliest.
The commission was supposed to submit report in about nine months.
Violence had erupted in East Godavari district last Sunday during 'Kapu Aikya Garjana', a meeting by Kapu community members, who sought reservation under Backward Class category.
As many as 63 cases have been registered in this connection by police for rioting, arson, criminal conspiracy, holding meeting without permission, violating preventive orders and causing damage to public property, attacking the policemen on duty without provocation, damaging railway property besides
torching private and police vehicles.