Maratha quota | More than 360 booked for violence in Maharashtra's Jalna; agitators firm on continuing stir

“A day after a protest over Maratha quota turned violent in Maharashtra’s Jalna, leading to some police personnel and others getting injured, the situation is under control on September 2 and the police have filed a case against more than 360 persons.

“A day after a protest over Maratha quota turned violent in Maharashtra’s Jalna, leading to some police personnel and others getting injured, the situation is under control on September 2 and the police have filed a case against more than 360 persons, of whom 16 have been identified, for their alleged involvement in violence,” an official said.

Police used baton-charge and fired teargas shells to disperse a violent mob at Antarwali Sarathi village on Dhule-Solapur road in Ambad tehsil, around 75 km from Aurangabad, on September 1.

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“The protesters, led by Manoj Jarange, had been staging a hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community at the village since Tuesday. The trouble began when police tried to shift Jarange to a hospital on doctors’ advice,” officials said.

“The agitation turned violent as some persons targeted State transport buses and private vehicles,” police said. Villagers claimed that police fired some rounds in the air, but officials did not confirm it.

On Saturday, the agitators remained firm on their demand and said they would continue with the stir till the government provides reservation to the community. They also questioned the police action against their "peaceful" agitation and asked why they fired bullets in the air and lathi-charged the protesters.