Opposition stages protests demanding Milind Ekbote, Sambhaji Bhide arrests

On Wednesday, when the state cabinet meeting was on in the state secretariat Mantralaya, the opposition parties Congress and NCP staged demonstrations outside to press for the demand of arrest of Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide in connection with Koregaon Bhima violence that erupted in the state early January this year.

A group of fifty persons led by NCP MLC Vidya Chavan and Congress spokesperson Raju Waghmare gathered at the main entry gate of Mantralaya and started sloganeering. The demonstrators carried placards pressing for their demands.

The protesters gave slogans condemning the State Government and demanded immediate arrest of Ekbote and Bhide for fomenting violence at Koregaon Bhima. In the violence one youngster was killed. The demonstrators also demanded writing off the FIRs filed against Dalit workers.

After the protests for about five ten minutes, the Marine Drive police detained eight protestors including Vidya Chavan. The protesters were let off and a First Information Report was registered under sections 143(member of unlawful assembly) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant section of Maharashtra Police Act,2015. Vilas Gangawane, Senior Inspector, Marine Drive police station, said, "After detaining the protesters we let them off after giving them a warning and later registered the FIR. We are investigating the matter."