*The
Bhima Koregaon
battle saw the forces of the
East India Company
defeat Peshwa Bajirao II's army, on January 1, 1818
*An obelisk, that the British erected in remembrance of the battle, has become an important symbol of Dalit assertion. Thousands of Dalits pay respects to the memorial every year
*Some Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - were part of the winning force. However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to the celebration
*
Violence erupted in Pune after an argument between locals and those on their way to the war memorial
*Atleast one died and three others were left injured in the ensuing clashes between villagers from Koregaon Bhima, Pabal and Shikrapur and a large group commemorating the battle
*25 vehicles were torched and over 50 were damaged in stone pelting
*The police stopped traffic on the
Pune-Ahmednagar
highway for some time following the incident. Presently, all bus services from Pune to Ahmednagar have resumed, reported ANI
*The
Mumbai Police clarified that Section 144 had not been imposed in Chembur or other parts of the eastern suburbs
*More than 100 people were detained over different locations, Mumbai Police said
(With inputs from agencies)
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