Visakhapatnam: Violence broke out in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district Sunday as thousands of protestors from Kapu caste set afire a train and blocked rail and road traffic.
The protestors also set afire a police station in Tuni, about 100 km from here. All trains between Vijayawada and Vizag and vehicular traffic on Chennai-Kolkata highway came to a halt as protestors squatted on the tracks and the highway.
The violence broke out at 3 pm during a public meeting organised by Kapu State Committee at Tuni demanding inclusion of Kapus in the backward classes list and reservation in jobs. Kapu leaders declared that they will not leave tracks and highways till the government issues an order to meet their demand. Soon the protestors marched towards the track and stopped Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada Ratnachal Express near Tuni station. They attacked the engine and set afire eight bogies after ordering passengers to alight. A railway official said no one was injured in the incident but the passengers including women and children ran in panic.
The protestors later attacked Tuni railway station and ransacked the furniture. Four railway employees were injured.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called an emergency meeting of his cabinet colleagues and top officials in Vijayawada.
Trouble began after Kapu leader M Padmanabham announced at the meeting that they will not tolerate any delay in providing quota to the caste.
Late at night, Padmanabham said he is lifting the blockade and asked the government to issue orders by Monday for including Kapus in the bc list. IANS
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