Tuni violence: Andhra CID to file chargesheets soon, Mudragada 'ready for enquiry'

Protesters demanding reservation for Kapus, went on a rampage and set fire to the Ratnachal Express at Tuni last year.

news Politics

Even as Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham is gearing up for his 'Chalo Amaravati' padayatra, the CID is preparing to file its first chargesheet in the Tuni arson case that occurred in 2016.

According to reports, more than 25 separate chargesheets would be filed by CID in all the cases, with Mudragada as the main accused, for his alleged role in inciting violence in January last year, during the Kapu Garjana Mahasabha held in East Godavari district.

Protesters set fire to the Ratnachal Express at Tuni, before they went on the rampage and also damaged a police station, and police and private vehicles.

This development comes even as Mudragada claimed that he was ready for any inquiry.

Blaming Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for going back on his promise of reservation for Kapus, Mudragada said that Naidu was responsible for the violence at Tuni.

He also told mediapersons that he would undertake the padayatra, despite the DGP's warnings, and assured that it would be peaceful.

Kapu leaders are organising a 'Chalo Amaravati' programme from Kirlampudi in East Godavari district to Amaravati, the state's capital on July 26, despite being denied police permission.

However, this move has faced strong opposition from the government.

Andhra Pradesh's Director-General of Police (DGP) N. Sambasiva Rao appealed to youngsters on Thursday, asking them not to participate in the padayatra.

Keeping in view the violence that had broken out in the past, he advised the youth not to involve themselves, and spoil their future.

“We have decided to deny permission in wake of violence during his (Mudragada) previous public meet. If anything goes wrong, the police will not be mere spectators. We will take stern action against those indulging in violence. We will take action against those who support the padayatra as well," the DGP was quoted as saying.

The DGP also told the media that around 60 cases had been registered with regard to the Tuni violence.

Following the incident at Tuni, the TDP government constituted the Manjunatha Commission to look into the reservation issue.

Angered by the delay in the Commission's report, Kapu leaders are now planning the 400-km Padayatra. that would cover the districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur.

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