MINORS AMONG 12 MORE HELD FOR VIOLENCE IN KOREGAON

The district police arrested 12 more people, including three minors, in connection with the January 1 caste clashes that broke out in and around Koregaon Bhima village in which one person was killed.

Police had earlier arrested 17 people in connection with the incident.

The violence occurred during the bicentennial event to commemorate the Koregaon-Bhima battle in which British imperial forces comprising Dalits had defeated the army of Peshwas.

Dalits view the battle as the defeat of “casteist” Peshwas who had represented the Maratha empire. On January 1, several vehicles, shops, houses were vandalised and torched by mobs in areas near Koregaon Bhima.

Lakhs of Dalits visit the Koregaon Ranstambh (victory pillar) every year to commemorate the Koregaon Bhima battle.

“On Monday, we arrested 12 people, including three minors, for allegedly vandalising vehicles on road in villages adjoining Koregaon Bhima,” said Pune district SP Suvez Haque.

He said the arrested people belonged to both the communities (Maratha and Dalit). Haque said the police traced the vandals through CCTV footages of the January 1 incidents. “Police are analysing CCTV footages and recordings available to identify the anti-social elements involved in the violence,” he said.

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