Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham withdrew his 13-day fast at the Rajamahendravaram Government Hospital here on Tuesday night.
But, the decision of the police not to allow the three close followers of Mr. Padmanabham who were released on bail to proceed to the RGH led to tension outside the facility where the supporters of the Kapu leader gathered in big numbers.
To return to his residenceMr. Padmanabham made it clear that he would return to his residence at Kirlampudi to formally call off his protest only after seeing the trio —Nalla Vishnu Murthy, Akula Ramakrishna and Vasireddi Yesudas — who were granted bail in the Tuni arson case on Monday evening.
High drama
There was high drama outside the Central Prison after top police officials made it clear to the three that they would be allowed to go only after their leader reached Kirlampudi.
“Police officials surrounded us the moment we walked out of the prison and asked us to sit under a banyan tree,” said Akula Ramakrishna.
Police strictly enforced prohibitory orders and made announcements in the city that people should not congregate in large numbers.
Police deployed
Police personnel were deployed in strength all along the national highway from Rajamahendravaram to Kirlampudi.
In the morning, a team of doctors led by Medical Superintendent Dr. Ramesh Kishore issued a bulletin which said that the condition of the couple was stable.
