Narhe, November 1, 2023: The Pune Police have taken firm action against approximately 400 to 500 Maratha reservation protestors, including prominent leaders such as Ravi Padwal, Prashant Pawar, Nikhil Panse, and Umesh Mahadik. An FIR has been registered against these individuals for blocking the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway near Navale bridge.
The police have invoked various sections of the Maharashtra Police Act and the Criminal Amendment Act 2017 in response to their disruptive protests. The complaint was filed by Police Constable Nitin Nivrutti Khutwad concerning the protests that occurred on the national highway.
On Tuesday afternoon, National Highway 48, which connects Mumbai to Satara, witnessed disruptions caused by demonstrators who obstructed traffic near VRL Tours & Travels on the Bengaluru-bound side and Vishwas Hotel on the Mumbai-bound side. The protestors expressed solidarity with the Maratha reservation cause and the hunger strike led by Manoj Jarange Patil.
Their demonstrations, which included road blockades and burning tires, led to traffic disruptions and raised concerns about public safety. Reports also indicated that shops in the vicinity faced intimidation and panic due to the protests.
Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Jadhav is currently spearheading further investigations into the matter.
