Kapu JAC calls bandh in East Godavari today

Telecast of a few Telugu news channels suspended; ‘arrest only to ensure law and order’

Taking no chances:A large contingent of police force at the house of Mudragada Padmanabham in Kirlampudi on Thursday.—PHOTO: S. RAMBABU

The arrest of Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham on Thursday led to angry protests in East Godavari district.

The Kapu Joint Action Committee called district bandh on Friday. Similarly, a bandh would be observed in West Godavari on Saturday.

Despite deployment of police forces, members of the community came on to the roads in Kakinada, Pithapuram, Gollaprolu, and Chebrolu to register their protest. Vehicular traffic came to a standstill between Kakinada and Kathipudi for over a couple of hours.

‘Kapu leader stable’

The police made preventive arrest of key leaders from Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, and Amalapuram during the day.

Telecast of a few Telugu news channels was suspended from Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, doctors at the government hospital in Rajamahendravaram declared that the condition of Mr. Padmanabham was stable.

Ravela’s dig

Staff Reporter in Guntur writes: Taking potshots at Mr. Padmanabham, Social Welfare Minister Ravela Kishore Babu told the media here that there was no truth in the Kapu leader’s claim that the State government had done little for the welfare of the community.

The Minister accused Opposition leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy of creating obstacles for the development of the State.

‘Jagan to blame’

Staff Reporter in Ongole writes: Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation chairman Ch. Ramanujaya said that Mr. Padmanabham was arrested only to ensure law and order. He said that the government took all precautions to prevent recurrence of Tuni-like incidents.

Mr. Padmanabham, who had not taken up the cause of the community when he was MLA, MP, and Minister, was playing into the hands of Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy, he told the media here . Meanwhile, Endowments Minister P. Manikyala Rao called upon Mr. Padmanabham not to make “unreasonable demand” of release of seven persons accused in connection with the Tuni arson. Mr .Rao, who also hails from the community, told the media here that Mr. Padmabham should cooperate with the government, which was doing everything possible to protect the interests of the community.