Police speak to Harirama Jogaiah over fast

Kakinada: With senior political leader Chegondi Harirama Jogaiah announcing indefinite fast from Monday to achieve reservations for Kapus, a heavy contingent of police personnel has been deployed near his residence at Palakollu in West Godavari district on Sunday.

Narsapuram DSP Manohar, circle inspector Akhil Jama and Palakollu tahsildar Mammy held discussions with the leader. They are trying to convince the senior Kapu leader not to go on a hunger strike in view of his delicate health at the age of 87 years.

They underlined that no permission has been granted for holding of the indefinite fast.

Later, Jogaiah pointed out that though he had given an ultimatum to the state government on announcing reservations for Kapus, there has been no response. As such, he declared that he would achieve reservations for his community through his death. “Even if police foil my agitation and shift me to another place, I will continue my indefinite fast,” he declared.

Harirama Jogaiah’s fast for including Kapus in the list of reservations is expected to begin at Palakollu from 9 a.m. on Monday.

Kapu BC Reservations Punaruddarana Sadhana Samithi founder president Pepakayala Rajendra appealed to Kapu leaders, including Jogaiah and Mudragada Padmanabham, not to agree for five per cent reservations within the 10 percent of EWS quota, as it will mean a great loss for Kapu community.

Rajendra said Kapu community’s demand is that the government provide 12 percent reservations by increasing the reservation quota to 62 per cent on the lines of quota in Tamil Nadu. He said Kapu leaders can contact AP Kapu Advocates adviser Bhade Raghava Rao and South India Kapu Pramukh Dasari Ramu in this matter.