Mumbai: A protest for reservation for the Maratha community in the Jalna district of Maharashtra became violent on Friday. 18 police and 20 protesters were hurt. The protesters attacked buses and cars. People in other parts of the state are also angry about this.
The police used sticks and tear gas to stop the violent crowd at Antarwali Sarathi village on Dhule-Solapur road in the Ambad area, a police officer said. The villagers said the police also fired guns, but the authorities did not confirm this. The protesters, led by Manoj Jarange, have been fasting in the village since Tuesday. They want reservations for the Maratha community.
The Supreme Court had canceled the reservation given by the state government to the Maratha community, which is very powerful in politics.
Police said some people set fire to buses and cars on Friday. Police sources said Deputy Superintendent of Police Sachin Sangle and 17 other police were injured by stones thrown by the protesters. 20 protesters were injured by the police sticks at Antarwali Sarathi. The injured are in the hospital. Many police are at the place.
On the other side, angry people burned the Dhule-Solapur highway. The road is closed. Buses going to Beed are stopped at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar CIDCO bus stand. Buses going from Pachod bus stand to Beed are also stopped.
