Published On : Sun, Jan 31st, 2016

Eight bogies of the Ratnachal Express set on fire by violent protestors

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kappu-communityVijaywada/Nagpur: Protests held by members of the Kapu community seeking reservation turned violent when they set the Ratnachal Express on fire today, at Tuni railway station in Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

Eight bogies of the Ratnachal Express were set on fire by violent protestors seeking inclusion in the Backward Class list.
The protestors resorted to stone pelting, injuring several railway officials. Some trains have been delayed following the commotion.

An emergency helpline (0891-2575083) has been set up at the Visakhapatnam Railway station.

The cancelled trains include Visakhapatnam-Kakinada passenger (train number 57256) and Visakhapatnam-Rajahmundry MEMU passenger (train number 67296).

Earlier, members of Kapu community took to the streets and blocked railway lines and highways in Andhra Pradesh. The protestors have also blocked the Chennai- Kolkata national highway affecting vehicular movement.

Last year, the Andhra Pradesh government announced inclusion of Kapu community under Backward Classes category and set up of a panel to study the proportion of reservation to be granted to them.

The government has also decided to constitute a commission to study the issue of reservations to be provided for the community.