Kolhapur Riots: MNS leader booked for burning Aurangzeb effigy; 36 held so far

New Delhi: An FIR has been registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande along with 8 others allegedly for burning an effigy of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

“FIR registered against MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande and 8 others under Maharashtra police act 37, 135, for burning an effigy of Aurangzeb in the aftermath of Kolhapur protests,” informed the Mumbai Police.

Meanwhile, at least 36 people have been arrested on the charges of rioting, damage to public property and unlawful assembly on June 7. After which, the security was beefed up in the disputed areas.

Disputed Areas returns to Normalcy

Kolhapur Suprindent of Police (SP) Mahendra Pandit informed that the situation at the disputed areas is returning to normalcy. However, the security has been tighten to avoid any occurance of clash.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: "The situation of Kolhapur city and district has become normal since yesterday afternoon. 4 SRPF company, 300 Police constables and 60 officers deployed…": Kolhapur SP Mahendra Pandit on the unrest that broke out yesterday in the city pic.twitter.com/bUlg3lysA3

— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2023

Talking to press, the SP gave insight on the incident. He said, “Additional police arrangements have been made in the city to keep vigilance… 2 SRPF platoons from Pune, senior officers and a team of 100 jawans have come from Sangli and additional 1500 jawans have been deployed in the region.”

Case registered over objectionable WhatsApp status 

In addition to that, the police has registered five cases in the district over the objectionable posts. The police informed that 5 persons, including juveniles, have been detained in two of these cases, claimed media reports.

As per the police officials, the accused have taken down their social media accounts but the cops are trying to retrieve the data.

The riots errupted in Kolhapur and Ahmednagar of Maharashtra over a WhatsApp post by a few youths. The youths had put up status hailing Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan.

Agitated over ther status, a Hindu organisation called for a protest which led to a violent confrontation between two religious groups and then, the police. The situation deteriorated after incidents of stone pelting at police vans were reported.

Opposition Slams BJP govt 

Meanwhile, the Opposition in the state has blamed the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government for the riots, accusing the latter of fueling the riots in the state. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said such riots by right-wing cannot be carried out without support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Incidents of communal clashes in Ahmednagar and Kolhapur have taken place over some mobile messages. What is the meaning of hitting the streets over such messages? Today’s ruling party encourages such things. Rulers should ensure peace and law and order. But if rulers start hitting the street and create enmity among two communities, that is not a good thing for the state,” said the NCP chief.

The NCP chief referred to churches in Odisha recently and said it was an ideology working behind it. This ideology is not good for the society, he added.

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