Maharashtra: 1 dead in Satara village violence over online post; Net curbs in district

KOLHAPUR: An objectionable post on social media triggered violence at Pusesawali village, about 100km from Kolhapur in the Khatav tehsil of neighbouring Satara district, on Sunday night, leaving a 32-year-old man dead and 10 others injured.
Special inspector general of police (Kolhapur range) Sunil Phulari told TOI, "We have so far arrested 23 men from Aundh and nearby areas in connection with the violence.Separate cases have been registered with the Aundh police station, first in relation to the objectionable post on social media and the second relating to murder, rioting and other offences. A search is on for suspects in the two cases."
Shops and houses in the village were set on fire, while a place of worship was also attacked before the police moved in to bring the situation under control late in the night. Pusesawali is located 25km from Karad, a major urban centre in Satara district.
On Monday morning, the situation in and around the village was "tense but peaceful". Satara district collector Jitendra Dudi ordered a shutdown of internet services and banned assembly of four or more people at any place across the district, as a precautionary measure under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The district police appealed to the people not to believe any rumour.
Movement of vehicles in and out of the village was restricted from various checkpoints as Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Samir Shaikh and senior police and district officials visited the village to take stock of the situation.
Mob of around 100 resort to violence in Satara village
Phulari said, "The objectionable comments and posts on social media were made by some youths from the village and they were called for questioning at the local police station on Sunday night."
Around 9.30pm on Sunday, while the youths were being questioned by the police, a group of more than 100 people reached the village and started damaging vehicles, public and private properties and attacking people, the police said.
To disperse the violent mob, the police used force. "The mob retaliated, and some cops too have been injured but the injuries are minor," said Phulari.
The senior police officer said, "I appeal to the people not to spread any fake messages about the incident on social media and to ensure that peace and harmony is maintained. If someone makes any objectionable comment or post, then approach us rather than taking law into our own hands."
NCP Satara MP Shriniwas Patil said through his social media accounts that people should cooperate with the police to restore peace. "I also appeal to the state home department to take steps to stop such incidents from occurring," said Patil.