Koregaon-Bhima violence was 'pre-planned', says panel

September 11, 2018 23:41

A 'fact-finding' committee led by the deputy mayor of Pune has claimed the January 1 violence at Koregaon-Bhima village near Pune in Maharashtra was 'pre-planned' and orchestrated by right-wing activists Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote.

The multi-member committee, led by deputy mayor Siddharth Dhende, on Tuesday submitted the report to the Pune Rural police, who are probing the violence.

While the state government has set up a two-member judicial commission to probe the violence, there are several 'independent, fact-finding' committees which are probing the New Year day rioting at the village on their own.

One such committee was led by Dhende.

Speaking about the report, he said, "Our committee members have visited the places where the violence took place. Along with the spot visits, we have also conducted interviews of the villagers and policemen.

"After the independent probe, we have come to aconclusion that it was a pre-planned violence. The culprits had already made the arrangements at the spots where sticks and stones were already stocked."

The report also has named Ekbote and Bhide as the 'main conspirators' of the violence.

"Ekbote and Bhide were directly or indirectly involved in the violence. Along with them there are somepolicemen who did not act in time.

"We have recommended strong action against all these responsible persons," Dhende said.

In the past, Ekbote and Bhide have denied any role in the violence, which took place after an event called Elgar Parishad, or conclave, was organised in Pune on December 31 last year. -- PTI

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