Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, expressing shock over the violence in Tuni, reiterated that Kapus would be accorded BC status soon.
Talking to media Sunday night, after an emergency meeting with senior police officials and ministers , the chief minister said the violence was created with ulterior motive in a district that had no past history of violence. ” It is unprecedented in East Godavari district,” the CM said.
The CM was responding on the violence that erupted in Tuni following the call given by Kapu reservation movement leader Mudragada Padmanabham for an indefinite Rasta Roko and Rail Roko.He said the exercise to include the Kapus was on and the government would take steps in the direction of declaring the Kapus as BCs after a thorough study.
” In the violence that raged in Tuni 25 vehicles have been damaged. One train has been burnt completely. Two police stations have been set on fire. 15 police personnel, including a Circle Inspector have sustained injuries in the attacks. Media was also not spared,” the CM said.
Stating that the government had appointed Justice Manjunath committee only to take concrete steps on the subject, the CM said the establishment of Kapu corporation wth with Rs 100 cr budget bears testimony to the government’s commitment,” he said.
He said the some political forces, hell bent on creating disturbance in the state, were responsible for the violence in Tuni. On the other side, 144 section has been clamped in Vijayawada. Police sounded high alert in the temporary capital of Andhra Pradesh. Security blanket has been thrown around the residences of Kapu leaders in the city.
The Opposition YSR Congress, however, turned the tables on chief minister Naidu. Party’s spokesperson Ambati Rambabu said Chief Minister Naidu himself was responsible for the whole chain of events. ” YSR Congress is condemning the violence in Tuni. Since there is possibility of antisocial elements taking advantage of the situation, Kapu leaders should keep a watch on such elements. It will derail the movement. Chief minister Naidu, before accusing Opposition YSRCP as responsible for the violence, should immediately initiates steps to implement his poll promise of including Kapus in BCs,” Rambabu said
