Kolhapur: 36 people arrested for rioting, damaging public property

As many as 36 persons have been arrested on rioting, public property damage, and unlawful assembly charges following a conflict between members of various Hindu organisations and police in Kolhapur on Wednesday, according to SP Mahendra Pandit on Thursday. He also asserted that things are gradually returning to normal.

Business owners resumed operations, and residents were observed purchasing essential items from shops in Kolhapur city. However, the city experienced a sense of unease on Tuesday when two individuals allegedly posted an offensive audio message along with the image of Tipu Sultan, an 18th-century ruler from Mysore, on their social media “status”.

Earlier on Wednesday, police interfered and dispersed a huge number of demonstrators gathered at Shivaji Chowk with lathis (batons). Protesters allegedly threw stones during the rally, which was conducted in objection to the alleged usage of Tipu Sultan’s picture.

On Wednesday afternoon, the situation was brought under control, and district guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar convened a peace committee meeting in the evening, according to Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit. Members of many organisations and communities agreed to keep the city peaceful, he said.

“Precautionary measures have been taken, with police deployment in sensitive areas of the city and district along with the ongoing patrolling,” he said. Asked about the situation in the city, Pandit said, “The situation is gradually returning to normal. Shops in the main market area have started reopening.” He said three cases have been registered in connection with the riots that took place on Wednesday. So far, 36 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, the official said.

The police further noted that five cases have been registered by police in the district pertaining to objectionable posts. Five persons, including juveniles, have been detained in two of these cases.

Minister Kesarkar has instructed the administration to set up separate peace committees comprising members of all communities to ensure peaceful celebration of all festivals in Kolhapur, as per a release of the district administration.

He has also directed for the formation of an independent committee to prevent any communal discord in the city, the release said.