Kapu community leader and former minister Mudragada Padmanabham on Thursday began an indefinite fast at his residence in Kirlampudi at Kakinada seeking release of those arrested in connection with violence at Tuni in January this year.

Five youth were arrested two days back by the state CID in connection with the Tuni violence and remanded in judicial custody.

Padmanabham had fixed a deadline till last night for the release of those arrested.

In view of this, Padmanabham along with his wife began an indefinite fast at Kirlampudi village in East Godavari district.

Meanwhile, the police cordoned-off the entire village and restricted the entry of outsiders at all its check posts.

Top police officials, including Superintendent of Police M Ravi Prakash, were keeping a watch on the situation.

The agitation by the community, seeking inclusion in the Backward Classes category, had turned violent at Tuni when the protestors went on a rampage setting on fire a passenger train, a police station, and police and private vehicles on January 31.

Padmanabham, who is spearheading the stir for reservation in education and jobs in Andhra Pradesh to his community, had earlier accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of "ignoring" the assurances given to Kapus.