The 200th year anniversary celebrations of the historic Battle of Koregaon Bhima turned into a nightmare on Monday at the village some 30 kilometres north east of Pune, when clashes between two groups led to rioting, leaving one dead, many injured and several vehicles damaged.
Sharad Pawar blames right-wing forces for violence in Pune
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The impact of the clashes that broke out in Pune on the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon Battle is now being felt in Mumbai too. Rail, road traffic were hit, offices have been closed early, shops down shutters. Dalits and Marathas allegedly clashed in Pune on Monday, resulting in the death of a person while five injured.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed for peace, saying Maharashtra is a progressive state which does not believe in casteist violence. He also warned that strict action will be taken against those who use social media to spread rumours.
Announcing the inquiry into Monday’s violence, Mr Fadnavis said it will be headed by a sitting judge. Shops and business establishments were shut and a journalist was attacked as groups of youths from Chembur, Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi joined the protest, the police said.
Several Dalit organisations today staged a protest in Chembur after two groups clashed at the 200th year anniversary celebrations of the historic battle of Koregaon Bhima on Monday, leaving one dead, five injured and several vehicles damaged.
The caste violence occurred 30 kilometres north-east of Pune between two groups over sensitive issues.
Mumbai PoliceVerified account @MumbaiPolice 3 hours ago
According to reports on Monday morning, thousands gathered near the ‘vijayastambh’ (victory pillar) at Koregaon Bhima to commemorate the battle, in which the British East India Company, with troops comprising mostly Mahar soldiers, faced off against the Brahmin Peshwa-led Maratha Empire in 1818. The violence reportedly began when a group carrying saffron flags began pelting stones, days after the tombstone of local Dalit hero Govind Gaikwad was vandalised, leading to clashes with groups bearing blue flags. Soon, Section 144 (unlawful assembly) of the Criminal Procedure Code was implemented across the district by the collector.
Both Dalits and Marathas have taken to streets today and are staging ‘Rasta Roko’ protests across Maharashtra, including Mumbai. Several schools and colleges in Mumbai have been closed following protests intensifying in the city.
Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis orders judicial enquiry for #BhimaKoregaon incident. Also orders a CID enquiry for the death of a youth & an assistance of ₹10 lakh to his kin. Strict action will be taken against the all those who are spreading rumours & trying to invoke violence.
Traffic in and around Mumbai has been disrupted. According to latest reports, the Sion-Panvel highway has been blocked by protesting Dalit organisations. Local train services have been hit on the Harbour Line between Chembur and Govandi following protests.
Four companies of state reserve police (SRP) and nearly 400 extra policemen from Mumbai Police have been deployed in Chembur, Mulund, Kurla, Govandi areas. Riot police has been deployed in Chembur.
Stone-pelting has been reported at the fine arts junction in Amar Mahal, Ghatkopar, and Chembur. Bus services to Ahmednagar and Aurangabad have been suspended following the Bhima-Koregaon violence.