Maratha reservation agitation: 194 arrested for violence in Pune

A total of 194 people, including two minors and five women, have been arrested by the Pune police in connection with violence that erupted during Maratha reservation protests here on August 9.

Out of these,192 people were produced before Pune sessions court today. Of which, 21 people were granted bail with a surety bond of Rs 15,000 while 50 people were sent to a two-day police custody.

Apart from this, eight others were sent to a police custody for a day and 113 people were sent to magisterial custody.

The state-wide bandh called by the Maratha outfits witnessed violence in Pune, Latur, Aurangabad, and Ahmednagar districts of the state.

A city bus was vandalised in Laxmi Nagar area of Pune and other districts of the state. The protesters had damaged a glass cabin and light of the compound of the district collector's office, where they had gathered for a sit-in protest. They had also blocked NH-4 Pune bypass.

The Maratha Kranti Morcha has been agitating across the state demanding reservation in government jobs and education. The major demands of the morcha are - decision on the Maratha quota at the earliest, all cases against Maratha protesters be taken back, action against the officers responsible for firing and lathi charge during the state-wide protest on July 25, resignation or sacking of ministers and MLAs who gave irresponsible statements against the Maratha community.

Besides reservation, the Maratha outfits have also been demanding loan waiver, justice in Kopardi rape case and a solution to unemployment in their community.

(ANI)