MKM activists demand withdrawal of charges

PUNE: Members of the Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) from Chakan have demanded withdrawal of “false” charges against the participants of the protest march in connection with violence that broke out during Maratha reservation protest at Chakan. 

They have given a deadline of seven days to the State government for withdrawal of charges, otherwise they will on fast to death. 

On Wednesday, Manohar Wadekar, Rahul Naikwadi, Vijay Khade, Santosh Nanaware, Bhagawan Medankar and Atish Manjare, all office-bearers from Chakan, conducted a press conference. 

Wadekar alleged that local MLA of Shiv Sena, Suresh Gore is trying to involve innocent Kranti Morcha activists in the violence. “Actually violence occurred due to outsiders and anti-social elements. Around 200 people were arrested by the police till date. We are continuously requesting the State Government to withdraw charges. However, government is not taking any cognizance of our request. So we have decided to sit on fast to death,” Wadekar said.

Atish Manjare said, “The police have filed case of attempted murder against Kranti Morcha activists. Maratha community conducted around 53 peaceful morchas.”

Violence had erupted at Chakan near Pune during the Maratha quota agitation in the last week of July. Four policemen were injured in stone-pelting during the protest at Chakan, where the mob also damaged nearly sixty vehicles, including State and civic-run buses and police jeeps.