Hindu–Muslim clashes erupted in Satara on 10 September, allegedly following offensive social media posts
Clarion India
SATARA — The Satara district administration has suspended internet services in the wake of violent Hindu–Muslim clashes in Pusesavali village of Khatav taluka over alleged objectionable social media posts on Sunday, according to media reports.
At least one person was killed and eight others injured when group clashes erupted here on Sunday-Monday, officials said. Multiple houses were also set on fire by miscreants.
A person from Pusesvali allegedly made some objectionable posts on the social media which sparked ire and led to the group clashes with stone-pelting and stone-throwing incidents, leading to a tense situation here since Sunday night, reports IANS.
One person was killed and eight more hurt in the violence which included stone-pelting and attacks with sticks and rods.
Two persons connected with posting an objectionable post as their status message have been reportedly detained by the police.
The violence came even as the Maharashtra government was preparing to host an all-party meeting in Mumbai to work out a solution to the vexed issue of Maratha reservations.
Of late, the Satara and Sangli districts have been under tremendous pressure from the Sakal Hindu Samaj, who seem bent on using it as a crucible in which to experiment with tactics that vitiate inter-communal harmony in these districts.
Eyewitnesses said that a violent mob of over a thousand people went berserk and targeted houses, business establishments and handcarts in a particular area. The mob set fire to some houses and resorted to vandalism.
Adequate police forces have been deployed wherever required and the situation is now peaceful, and urged the people to be alert and vigilant.
The Satara police, led by senior officers including SP Sameer Shaikh, reached the spot and brought the situation under control, the release said.
Shaikh said, “The situation is under control and citizens must not believe in rumours and immediately bring to the notice of the police any objectionable social media message being circulated online.”
Nationalist Congress Party MP from Satara termed the happenings in Pusesavali as “very sad and unfortunate” and appealed to the people to maintain restraint and cooperate with the government without giving credence to rumour-mongering.
He sought to know who was indulging in such mischief, why were people forwarding without verifying and demanding action against such elements.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale has urged people to maintain peace and not be trapped by such false messages.
Terming the incidents as tragic, NCP Working President Supriya Sule urged people to refrain from falling prey to rumours, and help maintain harmony in the society. — WIth media inputs
