Pune, June 8:  Days after arresting five people for having close Maoist links, the Pune Police on Friday released pictures of suspects involved in the death of a youth Rahul Fatangale during the Bhima Koregaon Violence. Earlier this week, the Pune Police arrested five people including prominent Dalit activist Sudhir Dhawale, from Mumbai, Nagpur and Delhi in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence on January 1.

It must be noted that Sudhir Dhawale was one of the organisers of Elgar Parishad, organised to commemorate 200 years of the Koregaon Bhima battle on December 31 at Shaniwarwada.  According to an FIR registered at Vishrambaug police station after the event, there Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) activists had allegedly made provocative speeches leading to violence at Koregaon Bhima in the district.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Pune Police, Ravindra Kadam was quoted by PTI as saying, "We have arrested five people in connection with Bhima Koregaon violence. All five have close Maoist links and prima facie, their involvement is being seen in the matter. It is to be investigated whether they instigated the violence".

A Nagpur-based lawyers' body has however alleged that the arrest of five activist-intellectuals in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence is a move to "discourage" the unity of Dalits and Bahujans against "castiest-Hindutva forces".

The Indian Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL) also sought the release of the five persons, including its general secretary Surendra Gadling. The Pune Police had yesterday arrested them for allegedly having close Maoist links.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 08, 2018 03:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).