Dalit agitation spreads in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Nov 30 (UNI) The Dalit agitation, fuelled by desecration of Dr B R Ambedkar's statue at Kanpur on Tuesday, spread in Maharashtra, forcing authorities to clamp curfew today in Nanded and Pimpri industrial belt of Pune, following violence last night and this morning.

Protests were reported from Kandiwali and Worli area here this morning. Protestors pelted stones and damaged passing vehicles, police said. Schools have been shut in Kandiwali (East) area.

In Nanded town of Marathwada region, authorities clamped curfew this morning following a series of incidents of arson and stone-pelting in various parts of the city.

Police district Superintendent Fattesinha Patil told UNI curfew, imposed at 0700 hrs, will remain in force till tomorrow 1100 hrs. He said eight people have been arrested on charges of arson and rioting.

Curfew has also been clamped in Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial belt of Pune following violence, allegedly by activists of Republican Party of India. They damaged more than 50 vehicles, including 22 buses of Pune Municipal Transport.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare told UNI that people mobilised by the RPI at Pimpri turned violent this morning and started damaging vehicles passing on the Pune-Mumbai highway. He said police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

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