Pune, February 25: Police on Monday lathicharge (Baton charge) on specially-abled and deaf students who were demonstrating outside the social welfare commissionerate in Pune. In the lathicharge, around 35 students were injured. This incident drew the attention of political parties even Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who directed police officials to submit a detailed report by Tuesday morning. Pune Police Lathicharges on Specially-Abled Students Staging Protest for Employment and Setting Up of Govt School and Colleges.

According to the reports, more than 10,000 specially-abled youths protested outside the office of the social welfare commissionerate demanding employment, quality education and others. While they were protesting, police present in the spot to avoid any mishaps, suddenly restored to lathicharge against the protesters. The police officials also detained some protestors but later released them. Pune Police Chases Car in Suspicion of Theft, Only to Find Real Owner Behind Wheels, Blames it on CCTVs.

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A police official from Bund Garden police station said, "The assembled youth tried to take out a rally and block the road despite having permission only for a sit-in protest. When they tried blocking the entire road for traffic, We had to use mild force on them to bring the situation under control."

The students warned that if their demands are not met by the government they will boycott the voting in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Meanwhile, Supriya Sule, Baramati Lok Sabha MP, termed Pune Police's action as shameful. "Differently-abled youth indulging in a peaceful protest have been lathi-charged by the police. The CM has no moral right to continue. He should resign immediately," the NCP leader said.

Senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil slammed the police action and said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should apologise to the youth and accept their demand. "People will ensure such a government is sent home after elections. The government should apologise to the protesters and accept all their demands," Vikhe Patil said in a statement in Mumbai.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 25, 2019 11:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).