Youth tries self-immolation at BC meet

The Kapu agitation may have ended with the TDP government coming out with proposals and community leader Mudragada Padmanabham accepting those, but the real Backward Classes are going to agitate continuously for the preservation of their quota. Tuesday's Backward Classes meeting in Vijayawada was an eye-opener wherein a youth tried self-immolation. The youth Murali Goud doused himself with petrol and lighted himself. The presence of mind of those standing near him saved the situation, as they brought in water and prevented the youth from burning. The youth was protesting against an inclusion of the Kapus among the Backward Classes. The incident caused tension at the meeting. No one would wish such incidents to repeat, but the reservation is a touchy issue, covering the entire society. In such a situation, there's no saying who would do what. Any meeting could spark off trouble. For isntance, the Kapu meeting in Tuni itself was a shock to the intelligence agencies. A train was burnt down, two police stations were attacked and large-scale violence was witnessed in the East Godavari town.