Former Minister and Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham has declined to accept police protection even as he and his wife are gearing up for indefinite fast from Friday morning seeking inclusion of Kapus in the BC list.
Addressing the media on Thursday, he stated that he was ready for talks with government emissaries on his demands.
Stating that a few police officials approached him with a request to accept protection, Mr. Padmanabham said he declined the offer saying that he was friendly with every one.
“There is no other agenda for the police in meeting me separately. I request all my brethren not to come to Kirlampudi from tomorrow,” he added.
He appealed to all his supporters in Kirlampudi, Prattipadu, Tuni, and surrounding areas to go on fast at their respective residences and bang the dining plates at lunch hour to express their protest.
Police presence
Meanwhile, East Godavari SP M. Ravi Prakash advised Mr. Padmanabham’s supporters to stay away from Kirlampudi.
Large contingent of police forces were deployed in the district to avoid any untoward incident, he told the media.
Mr. Ravi Prakash said prohibitory orders had been imposed under Section 30 of the Police Act and Section 144 of the CrPC.
He said that prior permission was mandatory for organising any meeting in the district till withdrawal of the orders.
Mr. Ravi Prakash said that 27 persons figured in the FIR released on Wednesday. They had been booked for violating Section 188 and 32 (conducting meeting without police permission and attending the same meeting).
He made it clear that they would not book cases against innocent people in connection with the violence that was witnessed at V. Kotturu during the Kapu Aikya Garjana on Sunday last.
The SP said that public properties, including Ratnachal Express, hundreds of police vehicles, records, furniture, and other assets worth Rs.100 crore were damaged in the violence.
He said personnel from the CRPF, ITBP, RAC, Armed Reserve, Central Reserve, and AP police were drawn for security in view of hunger strike by Mr. Padmanabham and his wife.
Replying to a question, he said that these forces would be under the control of Inspector-General of Police (coastal region) Kumar Viswajit and Eluru Range Deputy Inspector-General P. Harikumar.
