Police will trace the "anti-social" elements who Maratha bodies claimed had infiltrated the protests in Chakan in Pune district yesterday, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar said today.
Kesarkar visited the violence-hit industrial hub, located 40 kms away from Pune, today to take stock of the situation, a day after buses and vehicles were set on fire during the protests for Martaha reservation.
"I spoke with the leaders of various organisations and assured them that police will not take unnecessary action against the genuine agitators but will take stern action against those who had resorted to the violence yesterday," he told PTI over phone.
Kesarkar said the office-bearers of the Sakal Maratha Kranti Morcha too had said that some outside elements had infiltrated the agitation, which was going on peacefully.
"I told them that the police will find these anti-social elements," he added.
He said since Chakan houses several manufacturing units, MNCs and firms, several representatives from these industries have become anxious.
The government is committed to the safety and security of the industries, he said.
"Additional police force will be given to the Chakan police station which will soon be attached to newly-formed Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate," the minister said.
Kesarkar also met the injured policemen.
He said the district collector has been asked to convene a meeting of the representatives of the industry as a confidence building measure.
Notably, Pune district superintendent of police Sandip Patil had yesterday said that some "anti-social elements" had infiltrated the Maratha quota agitation in Chakan.
He had said that some miscreants from the adjoining areas and districts could have joined the peaceful protests to disrupt them.
Some Maratha organisations had given a call for a bandh in Chakan yesterday, and a rally was carried out.
Protesters had pelted stones and torched some public transport buses and private vehicles.
Some police personnel had sustained injuries in the stone pelting.
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