Three held for violence, attack on cops during quota protest in Jalna
The issue of Maratha reservation snowballed in the state after police allegedly resorted to lathicharge and used tear-gas on protesters in Jalna’s Antarwali village on September 1 where Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil was sitting on a hunger strike.
3 min read
Another FIR has been registered under Arms Act for illegally possession of weapons. (Express File Photo) The police on Friday arrested three persons in connection with the alleged violence and attack on policemen at Antarwali Saarati village in Jalna where Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil was sitting on a fast in September this year.
The main accused has been identified as Rishikesh Bedre, from whom the police have seized a country-made pistol and two live cartridges. Another FIR has been registered under Arms Act for illegally possession of weapons.
“We have arrested three accused involved in the violence at Antarwali Saarati village based on technical evidence and their presence in the area. When we arrested them, we seized a country-made pistol from Rishikesh Bedra. Hence we have registered a separate case under Arms Act in Ambad police station. All the three accused were produced in court and have been sent to judicial custody till December 2,” Ayush Nopani, Additional Superintendent of Police, Jalna said.
Nopani further said Bedre has criminal records and nearly 14 criminal cases were registered against him in the past.
The issue of Maratha reservation snowballed in the state after police allegedly resorted to lathicharge and used tear-gas on protesters in Jalna’s Antarwali village on September 1 where Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil was sitting on a hunger strike.
While nearly 20 protesters were injured during the clash between protesters and police at Antarwali Saarati village, the police had also claimed that as many as 37 police personnel got injured including an Additional Superintendent of Police as the protesters pelted stones and allegedly torched four police vehicles.
Taking note of the incident, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered an inquiry into the matter.
Manoj Jarange-Patil, who is leading the Maratha quota protest, raised objections on the arrests and questioned why the Maratha community members were being arrested though it’s the police who lathicharged protesters. “The police arrested our activists without any reason. We were attacked at Antarwali Saarati, we had no involvement in it,” Patil said.
“The government had assured us that the cases filed against the Maratha protesters would be withdrawn. When such assurance was given, how come the police make arrest? Is it conspiracy against us,” Patil asked.
Reacting to the arrest, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, said, “the police will take action without succumbing to pressure in the case. The investigation will bring out the facts and those found guilty will be dealt with sternly.”
You May Like
