Padmanabham, who began an indefinite fast at his residence at Kirlampudi village in East Godavari district yesterday, had been arrested by CID sleuths last evening.
Padmanabham sat on indefinite fast seeking release of the five youths arrested three days ago. He had fixed a deadline till last night for the release of those arrested. However, even after his arrest, Mudragada continued his fast at a Rajahmundry hospital and refused medical treatment, police sources said.
Fifty five of Mudragada's supporters, who were also taken into custody last night and kept in Kakinada Three Town police station, are likely to be released as their involvement in Tuni violence was not established. They are likely to be released on station bail, a police source said.
The agitation by Kapus, seeking inclusion in the Backward Classes category, had turned violent at Tuni on January 31 when the protesters went on a rampage setting on fire a passenger train, a police station, besides police and private vehicles.