Maha simmers after Pune violence; protests erupt in Mumbai
Mumbai: Several towns and cities in Maharashtra were on edge today as Dalit protests against yesterday's violence in Pune spilled over to capital Mumbai, with agitators damaging scores of buses, and disrupting road and rail traffic, officials said.
Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead yesterday.
In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who head the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.
Over 160 buses were damaged in Mumbai by rampaging protesters over 100 of whom were detained, police said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the Pune violence, and appealed for calm. He said it needed to be ascertained if there was a conspiracy behind yesterday's violence.
Fadnavis said a Rs 10 lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.
Prakash Ambedkar, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and grandson of B R Ambedkar, has called a 'Maharashtra bandh' tommorrow to protest against the government's "failure" to stop the violence.
Dalit groups were celebrating the bicetenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle which the forces of the British East India Company had won over those belonging to the Peshwa.
Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory was seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi called the event to celebrate the Bhima-Koregaon battle as a "potent symbol" of resistance to RSS-BJP's "fascist vision".
"A central pillar of the RSS/BJP s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," he tweeted.
In Mumbai, protesters disrupted road traffic in the suburbs and local train services on the Harbour Line. They blocked roads in several areas, forced shops to shut down, and also attacked a journalist of a television news channel.
Protesters staged a rail roko in Chembur.
Groups of protesters held demonstrations in Chembur, Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi, police said.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Priyadarshini, Kurla, Sidharth Colony and Amar Mahal areas on the Eastern Express Highway, took out processions and raised slogans against the government and the administration.
Protests were also held in Kolhapur, Parbhani, Latur, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Hingoli, Kolhapur, Nanded and Thane districts, police said.
Heavy security was deployed in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.
The Mumbai police, meanwhile, issued a statement appealing to people not to believe in rumours and verify facts with the police before posting anything on social media.
Maharashtra minister of state for home Deepak Kesarkar today visited Bhima-Koregoan and neighbouring villages and said the situation was under control.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar blamed the administration for yesterday's violence and demanded a probe into the incident.
Appealing for peace, Pawar said such situations need to be defused patiently by those in political and social spheres without any provocative speeches being made.
"Since the administration did not take precautions, rumours and misunderstanding spread. A youth in Nanded died unfortunately. People from political and social field should defuse the situation harmoniously and patiently without making provocative speeches," the former Union minister said.
Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan condemned the violence and urged people not to believe in rumours.
Antisocial elements were trying to create tensions between Dalits and Maratha communities for political benefit, he said.
Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said the violence was unfortunate and condemnable.
AAP spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon said the Fadnavis government failed to keep peace. "The attack has resulted in unrest across the state between upper caste Hindus and Dalits," she said.
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3,841 LPG cylinders seized in Chhattisgarh; 97 FIRs filed during anti-hoarding drive
Raipur (PTI): The authorities in Chhattisgarh have seized 3,841 LPG cylinders from 335 locations across the state during the past more than two weeks as part of a crackdown to prevent hoarding of cooking gas, officials said.
The action was reviewed during a high-level meeting on Saturday chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to assess liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) availability and streamline the distribution system amid concerns arising from the West Asia conflict.
The chief minister directed authorities to closely monitor the stock and supply of cooking gas and petroleum products, and to take strict action against hoarding and profiteering.
He emphasised that ensuring timely delivery of essential services remains the government’s top priority and urged citizens not to panic.
In a post on X, the chief minister said, “In view of the prevailing situation in West Asia, a review meeting was held today at the Chief Minister's residence with senior state officials, Commissioners, Inspectors General (IGs), and District Collectors to assess the availability and supply mechanisms of petroleum products, LPG, and essential commodities.”
He said that adequate availability of essential goods, petroleum products, and cooking gas has been ensured across Chhattisgarh.
“The supply chain remains completely smooth and normal, and no shortages of any kind will be allowed to occur,” the CM said.
Officials have been directed to closely monitor stocks and the supply of cooking gas and petroleum products, and to take strict action against hoarding and profiteering, he said.
Delivering timely services to every citizen of the state remains our utmost priority. The people of the state need not harbor any concerns whatsoever, he added.
Officials informed in the meeting that raids were conducted at 335 sites across the state. While no black marketing was confirmed, action was taken on reports of hoarding, leading to the seizure of 3,841 cylinders and the registration of 97 FIRs, the release said.
In the meeting, Sai said that “thanks to the visionary and sensitive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country remained united and successfully confronted even a challenging situation like COVID-19”, according to the release.
He clarified that while the current situation does not resemble the COVID-19 period, it remains essential to stay vigilant. There is no shortage of petroleum products, gas cylinders, or fertilizers in the state, he said, stressing that citizens should not pay heed to any rumours.
Sai also said that the Centre has assured the states of an uninterrupted supply of essential goods in light of the West Asia situation.
A state-level control room has been set up to monitor the situation, and similar facilities will be established in all districts. Officials have been instructed to regularly review supply conditions and ensure accurate information reaches the public to counter misinformation, Sai said.
The CM ordered strict vigilance at border check-posts, with monitoring of LPG cylinder and fuel transport. Petrol and diesel are not to be sold in containers to the general public, except for authorised essential services, he said.
Sai also directed that uninterrupted gas supply be ensured to hospitals, hostels, educational institutions, railways, government establishments, defence and paramilitary units, social welfare institutions, and airport canteens, according to the release.
Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel said in the meeting that consumers can report issues related to domestic LPG supply, complaints, or hoarding through a toll-free number, and efforts are being made to widely publicise it for quick grievance redressal.
Officials from oil companies, including IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL, informed during the meeting that there is no shortage of LPG or petroleum products in the state and that supply and online booking systems are functioning normally, the release said.
During the meeting, instructions were issued to maintain continuous vigilance over news reports concerning the supply of gas, petrol, and diesel. As misleading reports could trigger panic, it was directed that immediate cognizance be taken of such news to ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public.
Instructions were also given to closely monitor social media and to maintain regular dialogue with media representatives, the statement said.
During the meeting, officials also informed that there is no shortage of fertilisers in the state.
The chief minister issued directives to curb the hoarding of fertilisers and to conduct regular reviews of daily stock levels.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam and other senior state officials also attended the meeting, it said.
