East Godavari: Protestors belonging to Kapu caste set a train on fire and blocked rail and road traffic in East Godavari district, about 100 km from Visakhapatnam on Jan 31, 2016. The violence broke out around 3 p.m. during a massive public meeting organized by Kapu State Committee at Tuni to demand the government to include Kapus in the backward classes list and provide them a reservation. (Photo: IANS)
Visakhapatnam, Jan 31 (IANS) Kapu leaders on Sunday night withdrew their protest for reservation after large-scale violence rocked Tuni town in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
M. Padmanabham, a key leader of the community, announced that he is withdrawing the blockade. The vehicular traffic between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada is expected to resume soon.
Padmanabham, a former minister, asked the government to issue orders by Monday for including Kapus in the backward classes list so that they can get the benefit of reservation in education and employment.
He warned that if the government failed to respond by Monday evening, he would launch fast-unto-death.
It was after a massive public meeting at Tuni that the protestors set afire a train, two police stations and other public property.
