Andhra Pradesh's Director-General of Police (DGP) N. Sambasiva Rao appealed to youngsters on Thursday, asking them not to participate in the padayatra proposed by former state Minister and Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham.
Keeping in view the violence that had broken out in the past, he reportedly 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.
This comes as members of the Kapu community in Andhra Pradesh, who are demanding BC status and reservation, led by Mudragada Padmanabham, are getting set to clash with the state government.
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.
According to reports, the DGP reviewed the law and order situation in East and West Godavari, and Krishna districts on Thursday, and also advised parents to counsel their children against taking part in such agitations.
Meanwhile, Mudragada held a press conference at his residence in Kirlampudi on Wednesday.
Lashing out at Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he said, "Your lies are done. After your story was over, you dragged Manjunath on the road, and are making him tell lies now. Why has it come to this state? We were assured that the commission report would come within a few months."
At the height of the Kapu agitation in February 2016, activists set fire to the Ratnachal Express at Tuni in East Godavari district.
Following this, the TDP government constituted the Manjunatha Commission to look into the issue.
CM Naidu once again reasserted his promise of reservation for the Kapu community at the party’s recent Mahanadu event.
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.