Police arrested 152 farmers in Kolhapur on Wednesday after incidents of violence and clashes with the police occurred in Karvir and Radhanagri areas of Kolhapur district. The district administration has issued prohibitory orders throughout the district under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in consideration of the protest.
Members of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana had been protesting in western Maharashtra demanding better prices for the sugarcane crop.
“We have deployed two additional State Reserve Police Force companies. The situation is under control now,” Kolhapur Superintendent of Police (SP) told The Hindu.
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Protesting farmers clashed with police and burnt a police jeep in Jinnarli. Two police officers and 12 constables sustained minor injuries during the clashes. The farmers and members of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna staged a “rasta roko” at various places.
“We have registered five cases against the arrested persons in Karvir and Radhanagri for “rasta roko” and destruction of public property,” the SP said. The protesters were booked under Sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 353 and 357 of the IPC. Police had to lathicharge the protesters to disperse them.
“There was an incident of arson in Karvir. There were five incidents of “rasta roko” reported to us,” officials at Kolhapur police control room said. Police said reports of “rasta roko” and protests also came in from Murgud, Ichalkaranji, Kagal and Gargoti.
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Meanwhile, the State transport corporation has decided to resume road services to the affected areas.