Beating plate, Padmanabhams start fast-unto-death at Kirlampudi

Mudragada Padmanabham, the Kapu supremo, went on a fast-unto-death along with his wife, Padmavathy, by beating an eating plate with ladle at his Kirlampudi residence in East Godavari on Friday morning. The doctors checked the blood sugar and BP levels as the Padmanabhams started the indefinite fast. Padmanabham - 84 kg weight, BP 160/110, Sugar 178 Padmavathy - BP 180/110, Sugar 121 The Padmanabhams sat on the hunger strike along with many of the people of their community, mainly women. While appealing to the Kapus not to visit his residence, Padmanabham appealed to the community to skip the mid-day meal on Friday and instead beat their eating plates with ladles to make their protest known to neighbours. The police have taken control of the area around Padmanabham residence. The gates of the house have been closed. The police prevented Kapu leaders from entering the house thereafter. As a result, there was a hot discussion between Padmanabham and the police. The District Superintendent of Police, Ravi Prakash, promulgated ban orders under Section 144 in the district. Ravi Prakash said Padmanabham had told them to prevent people from visiting him. The people could protest peacefully, but anyone indulging in disturbing the peace would be dealt with serverely.