VIJAYAWADA: Several passengers travelling by trains in East Godavari district were put to inconvenience as agitators belonging to Kapu community blocked rail traffic. The community led by their leader Mudragada Padmanabham, are demanding inclusion of Kapus in the BC list.
The agitators set the entire Ratnachal Express, including the engine afire. Earlier, noticing the mob, alert driver of Ratnachal Express, informed the higher officials to switch off the power connectivity to that section of the track, thus preventing a major disaster. No one was injured in the blaze, as the agitators forced the passengers to disembark from the train before setting it afire.
“The entire train was gutted, but fortunately no one has been hurt in the incident. Several trains, nearly 20 have been regulated at different places, several at smaller stations. People are being put to severe inconvenience,” Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Ashok Kumar said.
Speaking to media persons at Vijayawada Railway Station, from where he is monitoring the situation in coordination with district and police officials in East Godavari district, Ashok Kumar appealed to the agitators to allow the resumption of train services.
“There are people at every place with one kind of emergency or the other, who need to reach their destination. It is not proper to block the trains. I urge agitators to understand the plight of others and clear the track, so train services can resume,” he said. Meanwhile, railway higher officials are holding talks with Padmanabham requesting him to withdraw the protest.