Satara violence: 15 more held in third case; internet remains suspended

Shikalgar is survived by his wife, who is six months pregnant, his father, who is a teacher at a local Urdu-medium school, and mother, who retired as a nurse at a government hospital in the area. Villagers had told The Indian Express that Shikalgar was an engineer, and had an earthmover rental business. Several two-wheelers and cars were set on fire or vandalised and at least two shops were set on fire by the mob.

Police had initially registered two cases. In the first, the accused were booked for Shikalgar’s murder among other charges. Police have till now arrested 19 people in this case who have been remanded in police custody till September 15.

The second case was about the alleged objectionable social media content in which two suspects have been identified and are being questioned by the police.

Meanwhile, a third case was also registered in connection with the attack on police personnel, rioting, arson and vandalism. In the third case, the Satara police said that they arrested 15 people on Wednesday who have been remanded in police custody till September 16. Satara district Superintendent of Police Sameer Shaikh confirmed the arrest of 15 people in the third case, adding that the further probe was on.

The district administration had suspended internet in the district from the early hours of Monday. Satara District Collector Jitendra Dudi told The Indian Express that Internet services remained suspended on the third day on Wednesday. “The services will resume from the intervening midnight of Wednesday and Thursday,” Dudi said.