Rajahmundry: The stalemate continues on whether or not Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham will give up his 13 day-long fast, even as his prime demand “release on bail of all 13 arrested over the Tuni violence” has been fulfilled. The Kapu leader is on a hunger strike for the last 13 days and three accused persons — V.Y. Dasu, Nalla Vishnu and Akula Ramakrishna — were released from the Central Prison here on Tuesday. Earlier, 10 of the arrested were out on bail.
Though the three men who were released from Central Prison tried to meet Mr Padmanabham at the government hospital, the police did not allow this. Earlier in the day, Mr Padmanabham reportedly told doctors that as all the 13 accused persons were released, he would give up his fast at Kirlampudi. He accepted conduct of medical tests and IV fluids until the evening. However, he changed his mind later and was not allowing doctors to conduct tests and give him IV fluids.
Talks were going on between representatives from the government and the Kapu leader on giving up the fast. Sources said Mr Padmanabham was now coming up with more demands including an assurance of a thorough probe into the Tuni arson case. Earlier, the government hospital medical superintendent, while releasing the health bulletin on Mr Padmanabham, said all the vital parameters in his body were near normal and he lost six kg of weight during the fast. He made it clear that medical and health services at the hospital were not affected due to the presence of Mr Padmanabham.
