Violence a planned act, alleges Pawan

Hyderabad: The violence at Tuni on Sunday according to Janasena Chief Pawan Kalyan was a ‘methodical and pre-planned’ act by anti-social elements. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the Janasena Chief demanded that the State government should conduct a thorough probe into the incident. He said, “Looking at the series of things which culminated into violence, it was undoubtedly the handiwork of those who were well trained in creating such incidents.”

Terming the violent incidents as painful, Pawan Kalyan said, “I believe in any agitation that adopts constitutional and peaceful means to achieve their rights. For this, the leaders who are organising such agitations should behave in a responsible manner. I understand that the incident had taken place when those attended were asked by some leaders to move on to the nearby road and train track.

The incidents had followed after that,” he pointed out. Further, incidents of such kinds are rare to see in East Godavari. So, it was surely the pre-planned the work of outsiders, he added. At the same time, he felt that the government had failed to assess the situation and the likely turn of events when people in such huge numbers gather. He said the failure of the government to take preventive measures could have resulted in the violence.

Further, he said that Kapus had been treated as BCs during the British Raj, and the same had been continued till 1956 for some time. But, the same were withdrawn. Also, while Kapus were being treated as BCs in Telangana and North Coastal Andhra, it was only in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions that they were denied similar benefits, he said.

So, the issue of Kapu reservation has been there for decades and successive governments had been promising on the same, but failed to deliver. This had resulted in the Kapus to feel deprived, aggrieved and being treated just as a vote banks. It was this kind of restlessness situation that might have led to violent incidents.

So, it was against this backdrop, the TDP had put in its election manifesto that it would provide reservations to Kapus. The TDP should take initiative to hold talks with the Kapu leaders and explain its stand on the issue.
However, he also said, “As I see there were several legal hurdles in providing reservations to the Kapus.

So, the government should explain and talk to the Kapu leaders on how it wanted to go about in providing reservations, or if it is not possible, then the government should explain as to why it could not do,” he added.