Will review cases, police only used ‘mild force’ in Jalna against Maratha reservation protestors, says Fadnavis
The Hindu
Maharashtra Deputy CM Fadnavis says govt to review cases against Maratha quota protesters, take appropriate action. 79 police personnel & 50 persons injured in fracas. Govt to review cases instead of blanket withdrawal demanded by Jarange-Patil. Govt given Dec 24 deadline to grant Maratha quota.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the State government would review the cases filed against Maratha quota agitation protesters and take appropriate action.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Fadnavis, who is also the State Home Minister, said that the government was taking necessary action on the demand to withdraw cases filed in Jalna district against quota protestors agitating for Maratha reservation.
Alluding to the fracas between protestors and the police on September 1, Mr. Fadnavis said the police had used mild force against the Maratha protesters in Jalna, he said, adding that 79 police personnel and 50 persons were injured during the face-off.
Mr. Fadnavis was giving a written reply to questions asked by more than 20 legislators on the Maratha quota issue.
“The state government will review the cases filed against the protesters involved in the Maratha quota agitation and take appropriate action. The government has also sent some of the police officials on compulsory leave and later transferred them out of the district,” he said.
A blanket withdrawal of the cases lodged against the protestors has been a prime demand of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil.
However, Mr. Fadnavis’ reply hinted that the government would be withdrawing cases only after a review of them, rather than a blanket withdrawal as demanded by Jarange-Patil.
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