Maharashtra govt invites man on hunger strike over Maratha quota for talks

Pic/PTI

Two days after his hunger strike over the demand for Maratha reservation turned violent in Maharashtra's Jalna district, the state government has invited Manoj Jarange Patil for talks over the quota issue, government sources told news agency PTI on Sunday.

Jarange Patil had been staging a hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna since Tuesday, reported PTI.

However, the agitation turned violent on Friday after the authorities tried to shift him to a hospital.

As violence broke out, police baton-charged the protesters and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. Several persons, including 40 police personnel, were injured and more than 15 state transport buses were set ablaze. More than 360 persons were booked in connection with the violence, police said, reported PTI.

A source in the government told PTI that Jarange Patil has been invited for talks over the Maratha reservation issue.

"There will be a meeting between the government officials and Jarange Patil over the demand for quota to the Maratha community," the source told PTI.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday announced that Jalna district superintendent of police, Tushar Doshi, is sent on compulsory leave, two days after protesters demanding Maratha quota were baton-charged, triggering violence.

Shinde said ADGP (law and order) Sanjay Saxena would probe the lathi-charge incident, and if required, the judicial probe would be conducted.

Addressing a state function in Buldhana, over 450 km from Mumbai, Shinde also announced the transfer of two DYSP-rank officers out of Jalna district.

Police baton charged and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a violent mob in Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna district on Friday after protesters allegedly refused to let authorities shift a man on hunger strike for Maratha quota to hospital.

Several persons. including 40 police personnel, were injured and more than 15 ST buses were set ablaze in violence.

"Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Saxena will probe the lathi-charge incident. If required, we will also conduct a judicial probe. Guilty will not be spared," Shinde said.

Many Opposition leaders had condemned police action while a demand was raised for state Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation.

Shinde said since he was born in an ordinary Maratha family, he can understand the pains of the community.

He assured the gathering that the state government is making efforts to grant the reservation to Marathas that will pass the legal test.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)