Mumbai: In a written reply submitted in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the cost of the damage during the Maharashtra bandh agitation on January 3 over the Bhima-Koregaon violence will be recovered from the protesters.
The Council had to be adjourned for a day after opposition members demanded immediate discussion on the Bhima-Koregaon violence and no arrest of any of those allegedly behind the case.
In his written reply to a question raised by Congress MLC Sharad Ranpise, Mr. Fadnavis also said that, investigation into Sambhaji Bhide’s role in the violence is on. Mr. Fadnavis also rejected the allegations of providing less police force for the event on January 1 at Bhima-Koregaon compared to last few years. “Anticipating more crowd will reach the venue, the administration had provided four times the police force as well as riot control unit and other necessary forces,” he said in the reply.
Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde demanded a special discussion on the issue. “Looking at the events of Bhima Koregaon on January 1, we feel that it was a well-planned riot. Certain anti-social elements were trying to instigate the sentiments and despite knowing this, adequate police force was not deployed,” said Mr. Munde. He asked whether the riots were sponsored by the state government. “The entire government is helpless in front of two people by still not arresting them,” he said and demanded a discussion on the topic.
Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLCs continued to press their demand for a discussion on the issue. They demanded to set aside other business. However, the demand was rejected by council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar.
“Government wants to protect Sambhaji Bhide and Manohar Ekbote as they are ideological fellow travellers of the BJP. In such case, expecting justice from government would be wrong,” alleged Congress leader in the house Sharad Ranpise.
This was followed by heated exchanges between both sides, which led Mr. Nimbalkar to adjourn the proceedings for the day.
