185 held in Pune for violence during Maratha bandh

At least 185 people, including five women, were arrested in connection with incidents of vandalism and violence in Pune during the bandh called by Maratha groups over their demand for quota for the community in government jobs and education institutes, police said on Friday.

They added that some of the protesters hurled stones at the police in the Chandani Chowk area during the stir on Thursday.

In another incident, some miscreants went on a rampage after the conveners of the Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) submitted a memorandum of demands to District Collector Naval Kishor Ram. They damaged the main gate of the administrative building at the collector’s office.

According to the police, the miscreants did not leave the building premises till late evening and were detained after a mild lathicharge. “While 83 people were arrested in connection with the Chandani Chowk stone-pelting incident, 81 others, including five women, were arrested for the vandalism at the collector’s office. Besides, 21 others were arrested for sporadic incidents,” joint commissioner (law andoOrder) Shivaji Bodkhe said.

He added that those arrested were “outside elements”, who had sneaked into the agitation and resorted to violence. All the arrested accused have been booked under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

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