At least 10 police personnel were injured in a stone-pelting incident that took place after a protest march against sexual assault in Maharashtra’s Nashik district. The march was organized to condemn the brutal sexual assault on two women in Manipur by a mob on May 3. The incident occurred in Satana town, where thousands of young men, some with their torsos bare as a mark of protest, participated in the march.
The Eklavya Adivasi Sanghatana, along with other tribal organizations and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, organized the protest march to express their outrage over the Manipur incident. However, the situation turned violent when some participants initiated a sit-in agitation in front of the Satana police station, demanding that the local BJP MLA Dilip Borse accept their memorandum.
The police officials informed the protesters that the MLA was not available as he was attending the assembly session in Mumbai. This led to heated arguments, and some of the protesters resorted to stone-pelting, targeting the police and passing vehicles. In response, the police had to resort to a mild lathicharge to control the situation.
Following the incident, several individuals who were involved in the stone-pelting were taken into custody. The authorities have brought the situation under control, and shops and commercial establishments in the town temporarily closed their shutters.
Superintendent of Police Shahaji Umap confirmed that ten police personnel had sustained injuries during the stone-pelting incident. He also assured reporters that additional police force was called in immediately, and the situation has now returned to peace.
It is important to condemn incidents of sexual assault and seek justice for the victims. However, resorting to violence during protests undermines the purpose and dilutes the message being conveyed. It is crucial for protesters to express their anguish peacefully and engage in constructive dialogue with relevant authorities to bring about meaningful change.
The authorities must also ensure the safety of protesters while managing law and order situations effectively. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding diverse perspectives and finding peaceful solutions to address such sensitive issues.
