The Andhra government confused media persons on Thursday, over its stand over the restrictions imposed on Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham, against his 'Chalo Amaravati' padayatra.
Mudragada, who is also a former state Minister, was placed under 'house arrest' along with other leaders at his residence in Kirlampudi, as he stepped out for his padayatra on Wednesday.
The protesters are demanding BC status for the Kapu community in the state.
On Thursday morning, he tried to take out a rally yet again, only to be told by the police that he would be under house arrest until August 2.
According to reports, the police even served him a seven day restraining order under section 144 (3) of Criminal Procedure Code.
However, in a complete U-turn on Thursday evening, DGP N Sambasiva Rao told mediapersons that Mudragada was not under house arrest and was free to move around for his personal work.
“The only restriction is that Mudragada will not be allowed to take out his padayatra as he has no permission. I am clarifying the situation now. He was not kept under house arrest. The orders were not interpreted properly,” the DGP was quoted as saying.
Police have not been allowing Mudragada to speak to reporters, stating that Section 144 was in place, in the area.
However, the Kapu leader's followers who are present at his residence have been uploading photos and videos on to social media.
Last week, the police made it clear that no permission would be granted, and the state would actively work to foil the walkathon.
The police said that it had taken this decision, keeping in view the violence that had broken out in the past.
At the height of the Kapu agitation in January 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.
Angered by the delay in the Commission's report, Kapu leaders planned the 400-km padayatra that would cover the districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur, before ending at Amaravati.