CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Police imposed prohibitory orders in Parbhani city on Wednesday and arrested 40 people after the bandh over damage to a replica of Indian Constitution turned violent here. Agitators torched and looted shops in the area, besides resorting to stone-pelting.
On Tuesday, an individual allegedly desecrated the replica of Indian Constitution installed near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue near the collectorate in Parbhani, setting off protests and even stone-pelting in the area. The accused in the case was caught by the residents, who handed him over to the police after beating him up.
Police said tyres, banners and irrigation pipes were set afire on the collector office road after suspects pulled them out from the closed shops at Visava Corner, a nearby market area. To bring the situation under control, the police resorted to using tear gas. Amid no let-up in the violence, Nanded range's DIG Shahaji Umap rushed to Parbhani and took charge of the situation.
With superintendent of police Ravindrasingh Pardeshi busy with training, additional SP Yashwant Kale is holding additional charge of the district. Kale told TOI, "The situation is under control for now. The process of registering three FIRs - two at New Mondha and one at Nanalpeth police station - is under way. As and when other people, whose properties were damaged, approach us, we will register more FIRs."
The protesters also targeted the Parbhani district collector's office by barging in, ransacking the furniture, and tearing off the files placed on collector Raghunath Gawade's table.
Videos of some women protesters climbing on to the chairs in the collector's chamber also went viral on Wednesday.
Reacting to the situation, Congress politician Vijay Wadettiwar blamed the initial "lax approach" of govt and local administration for the violence. "Had necessary action been taken promptly, the violence could have been avoided," he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aaditya Thackeray said the desecration of the Constitution's replica was condemnable. He demanding strict action against the culprits, while appealing to the protesters to conduct their agitation peacefully.
(With inputs from agencies)