VIJAYWADA, HYDERABAD: Disturbance by Kapu community, looking for reservation in Backward Class category become violent on Sunday with protesters, they took four coaches of Ratnachal Express and set them on fire at Tuni railway station in East Godavari district, and disrupted train drive on the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam section.
However, on time interference of railway officers make sure that no passenger had any damages in the incident, said Vijayawada station manager.
He said the protesters, met at Tuni to attend a public assembly addressed by ex-minister Mudragada Padmanabh, threw stones at the train and attacked some police force, before invading the railway station.
The protesters also jammed a part of national highway 16, fetching vehicular traffic between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada to a stoppage in afternoon.
As per the issued note by South Central Railway, Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Ratnachal Express was stopped at 1520 hours between Tuni and Hamsavaram railway stations on Rajahmundry – Visakhapatnam section of Vijayawada Division by ‘Kapunadu Garjana’ protesters who sat on the track, move on the locomotive and broken hose pipe/glasses of the locomotive.
Because of the incident, authorities were forced to stop all trains running between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada stations.
Railway officers said, “As the passengers in the coaches got down from the train, four coaches were set on fire. However, passengers are safe”.
As per the sources, one police constable got injuries in stone bombarding at the spot.
In view of the anxiety, at least 15 passenger trains running on the Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam section of Vijayawada area have been controlled.
Meanwhile, Padmanabh held Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu “responsible” for the situation.
“Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu, is completely responsible for present situation as he has driven Kapus to streets by giving them wrong and hoax promises of inclusion in BC category. Let the Chandrababu realise the seriousness of the situation,” Padmanabh said in the meeting.