Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the state government regrets attacking Maratha quota protesters with batons in Jalna district last week, reported the Hindustan Times.
“Lathicharge by police was not right,” Fadnavis said. “…I am apologising on behalf of the Maharashtra government.”
Clashes had erupted between the police and those demanding reservations for the Maratha community on September 1 in Jalna. Several persons, including 40 police personnel, were injured as protestors threw stones and police used batons and teargas on them. Over 15 state transport buses were set on fire.
The violence continued on Saturday as more vehicles were allegedly torched by protesters in the district. Several other major cities in Maharashtra, including Solapur, Nanded, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Nagpur, have also witnessed protests in support of the reservation demand.
The police have so far arrested 40 people and registered a case against 600 persons in connection with the violence in Jalna, according to The Indian Express.
Opposition parties in Maharashtra had criticised the police action against the protesters. They also blamed Fadnavis, who also handles the home department, for the violence and demanded his resignation.
On Monday, Fadnavis said that the decision to use force against those protesting was not taken by any top official in the government, according to PTI.
“Such decisions [use of police force]…
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