Kapu community patriarch Mudragada Padmanabham is placed under house arrest in view of his ‘Chalo Amaravati Padayatra’ on Wednesday. Police prevented him from going on walkathon, so he had to return to his home. The police issued notices to the Kapu leader that he is placed in house arrest for 24 hours under Section 151 of CrPC. Prohibitory orders of Section 30 of the Police Act and Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in the district. Drone cameras are reportedly being used to keep an eye on the Padayatra.

Mudragada said that the police were trying to curtail his rights and said that he would undertake the march under any circumstances. Police also detained several prominent Kapu leaders across the district.

High tension continues to prevail around the native village of Mudragada – Kirlampudi with nearly 2000 police personnel being deployed. As many as 5000 police personnel are deployed in the East Godavari District alone.

Director General of Police N Sambasiva Rao said that nobody sought permission for the Padayatra, especially with the proposed route plan covering several districts in the state.

It may be noted that, Mudragada announced padayatra from Kirlampudi to Amaravati covering 126kms including several villages and towns in 25 days. It is known that the former minister has been demanding reservation for Kapus.