A demonstration demanding Maratha reservation in central Maharashtra's Jalna district got violent on Friday, injuring dozens of people, including police officers, according to officials, news agency PTI reported. A rowdy crowd was dispersed by police using baton charges and teargas shells at Antarwali Sarathi hamlet on the Dhule-Solapur route in Ambad tehsil. Villagers also alleged that police fired shots into the air, but officials refused to corroborate this. Since Tuesday, protestors headed by Manoj Jarange have been on hunger strike in the hamlet, seeking quota for the Maratha community.
Speaking about the incident, Former Maharashtra Home Minister and leader of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) Anil Deshmukh stated: "It is sad that the march for the Maratha reservation in Jalna, which was taking place peacefully, was lathi-charged inhumanly. I strongly oppose this."
Since Tuesday, protestors headed by Manoj Jarange have been on hunger strike in the hamlet, seeking quota for the Maratha community.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issued an appeal for peace and ordered the formation of a commission to conduct a high-level investigation into the incident.
Chief Minister Shinde told a regional news channel that the state government was dedicated to providing quota to the Maratha community and that no one should resort to violence.
“The state government is taking some steps to give reservation to the community. During Devendra Fadnavis's tenure as chief minister, the state government had given reservation to the Maratha community but the Supreme Court quashed it,” he was quoted by PTI in its report.
“I do not want to go into the politics of it because it was not properly followed up. However, the state government is taking this issue seriously and we will welcome it if there are any suggestions. I appeal to the protesters to maintain peace so that the common people do not suffer,” he said.
Shinde announced the formation of a committee to conduct a high-level investigation into the violence.
Ashok Chavan, the state Congress leader, urged that the state government explain its position on Maratha reservation.
The police baton charge at Antarwali Sarathi village was also wrong, according to the previous chief minister.
According to Chavan, the Shiv Sena-BJP administration must specify what actions it would take to grant quota to the community.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve also criticised police use of force and requested that Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis explain why police used baton charges.
The state government's reservation for the politically dominant Maratha group was previously overturned by the Supreme Court.
According to authorities, the unrest became violent on Friday when some people targeted state transport buses and private automobiles.
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According to police reports, at least 18 police officers and officials, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Sachin Sangle, were hurt in stone pelting, while 20 demonstrators were injured in a baton charge at Antarwali Sarathi.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to the demonstrators on Wednesday, pleading with them to terminate their hunger strike, but they refused, according to authorities.
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On Thursday, stores and other business facilities in Wadigodri hamlet, Ambad tehsil, remained closed, despite a major protest gathering earlier in the week in Shahgadh.
According to authorities, more police officers have been dispatched to Jalna.