Maratha Reservation Row: Stones Pelted, Vehicles Torched As Fresh Violence Erupts In Maharashtra's Jalna. WATCH

The police had registered a case against more than 360 persons, of which 16 have been identified, for their alleged involvement in the violent protests, according to an official

Stone pelted, vehicle torched during protest demanding Maratha Reservation in Jalna.

Source : Twitter/@ANI

Fresh violence was reported in Maharashtra's Jalna district on Saturday, news agency ANI reported. Stones were pelted and vehicles were set on fire during a demonstration in Jalna by agitators seeking the Maratha Reservation. Police used force to disperse the demonstrators. The internet has been flooded with images of the violence.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | Stone pelted, vehicle torched during protest demanding Maratha Reservation in Jalna. Police disperse the protesters. pic.twitter.com/W5vilmg9LX

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2023

"Jalna SP Tushar Doshi along with four to five police personnel got injured after protestors pelted stones at them in the Ambad Chaufuli area during their protest demanding Maratha Reservation in Jalna. Police fired plastic bullets in the air to disperse the mob," the police stated. 

Maharashtra | Jalna SP Tushar Doshi along with four to five police personnel got injured after protestors pelted stones at them in the Ambad Chaufuli area during their protest demanding Maratha Reservation in Jalna. Police fired plastic bullets in the air to disperse the mob:… https://t.co/OizuVtT5u9

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2023

This comes a day after a rally demanding Maratha reservation in central Maharashtra's Jalna district became violent on Friday, injuring a number of people, including police officials. Police used baton charges and teargas shells to disperse an unruly gathering in the Antarwali Sarathi hamlet, located on the Dhule-Solapur highway in Ambad tehsil.

Speaking with media over Jalna incident, Congress leader Ashok Chavan said: "It is unfortunate that the community is being defamed. No one is trying to understand their emotions. There is a lathi charge, tear gas, and rubber bullets are being used... The government should have sent their representatives, they should have spoken to the people, and assured them, then this could have been avoided. Suddenly, a huge police force was increased... This provoked the whole incident..."

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On Jalna incident, Congress leader Ashok Chavan says, "It is unfortunate that the community is being defamed. No one is trying to understand their emotions. There is a lathi charge, tear gas, and rubber bullets are being used... The government should… pic.twitter.com/1LPA94XpLz

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2023

Over 360 Booked For Violence Over Maratha Reservation In Maharashtra's Jalna

Earlier today, the police had registered a case against more than 360 persons, of which 16 have been identified, for their alleged involvement in the violent protests, according to an official, PTI reported.

Since Tuesday, protestors headed by Manoj Jarange have been on hunger strike in the hamlet, seeking quota for the Maratha community. According to officials, the problem started when police attempted to transfer Jarange to a hospital on the recommendation of doctors. According to authorities, the protest became violent when some people attacked state transport buses and private automobiles. Police allegedly shot some rounds into the air, although officials did not corroborate this.

On Saturday, the agitators maintained their demand and stated that they would continue to protest until the government granted the community reservation. They also questioned the police response to their "peaceful" protest, questioning why they fired bullets into the air and lathi-charged the protestors.

According to officials, the violence injured around 40 police officers and others. According to reports, demonstrators set fire to at least 15 state buses as well as several private automobiles.

"An offence was registered at Gondi police station in Jalna against 16 agitators, who have been identified, and around 350 others for their involvement in violence on Friday," a senior police official was quoted by PTI in its report.

The police has registered a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 307 (attempt to murder), 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and others, according to the official. 

According to the official, police officers and a company of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) are currently stationed in the area.

Speaking with PTI, Jalna Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi stated: "Nearly 40 police personnel were injured in the violence yesterday. Police used plastic bullets and tear shells to disperse the protesters and bring the situation under control. No arrest has been so far and the situation is under control now."

On Friday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed for calm and ordered the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the violence, while Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the police were obliged to deploy baton charges owing to stone pelting.

The state government's reservation for the politically powerful Maratha group was previously overturned by the Supreme Court.

Speaking with media at Antarwali Sarathi village this morning, protest leader Jarange stated: "The hunger strike won't be called off now. Our sisters and the entire village have been protesting in a peaceful manner. The CM has formed a committee over the Maratha reservation, but it has not submitted a report and hence we are agitating." While showing a bullet in hand he said: "These bullets were fired and we were lathi-charged inhumanly. Women were also beaten up. Are we Pakistanis or do we have relatives in that country? Why did they fire? We will not stop until we get a reservation, let (CM) Shinde fire as many bullets as he wants." A woman who was also on hunger strike with Jarange questioned that why the cops had lathi-charged the demonstrators.

"What was the need (for the police) to disturb the atmosphere here. If we wanted to beat someone, then we would have come with lathis in our hands...The government should provide reservation to the Maratha community," she was quoted by PTI in its report.

(With Inputs From Agencies)