Maratha agitation: Over 80 arrested by Thane, Navi Mumbai police

According to senior officials in Navi Mumbai, the charges vary from rioting to damaging public and private properties. “Most of the accused have been booked for causing damage to public and private properties and rioting. Some have been accused of attacking policemen and stopping them from discharging their duties. In Koparkhairane, a case of murder has been registered against unknown accused and a hunt is on to locate them,” the officer said. Three policemen were injured in clashes between police and agitators in Navi Mumbai.

Members of the Maratha Kranti Morcha said the protesters were anti-social elements and not members of the Morcha. “None of our members attacked the police. All those who have been arrested are anti-social elements who have no connection with us,” said Santosh Suryarao, the Thane convener of the Maratha Kranti Morcha.
Sangita Patil, mother of an accused from Louiswadi, said: “He does not tell us where he goes. We got to know that he was part of some protest only on Wednesday night after some policemen came looking for him. He has now gotten us in trouble.” Another accused person’s father, Rajendra Pawar, said: “He was supposed to go to work at a grocery store. We don’t know how he ended up with the police.”