Pune, January 1: To mark the 201st anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, thousands of people, especially Dalits gathered at the 'Jay Stambh' memorial in Maharashtra's Pune district on Tuesday to pay tributes. Reports inform that as many as 5,000 police personnel, 1200 Home Guard jawans, 12 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and 2,000 Dalit volunteers were deployed in and around Perne village, the place where people have gathered to pay tributes at the war memorial. Bhima Koregaon: Dalits to Celebrate 201st Anniversary of Battle of Koregaon on January 1; Additional Forces Deployed, Social Media Monitored. 

According to reports, Bhim Army founder and chief Chandrashekhar Azad is also likely to visit Jay Stambh memorial. While speaking to media on Saturday, Azad had said he would visit Koregaon Bhima even if the government used police force to stop him. Heavy security arrangements have been done to maintain law and order in the city. Apart from large-scale police deployment, 500 CCTV cameras, 11 drone cameras and 40 video cameras are monitoring the area, a report by PTI stated. Bhima Koregaon Violence: Court Grants 90 Days Extension to Pune Police to File Chargesheet Against Arrested Activists.

In the wake of the 201st Bhima Koregaon anniversary today, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, who is the grandson of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, was among the first politicians to offer his tribute at the Jay Stambh on Tuesday morning. Internet services in and around Perne village have been suspended. From Bhima-Koregaon to Sabarimala, Here Are the Year 2018's Most Violent Protests Which Shook The Nation. 

On 1st January 2017, one person was killed and many were injured in caste clashes on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1818 battle, which has gained a legendary stature in Dalit history. In connection with the violence last year, the police had suspected Maoist links which they suspect was triggered by provocative speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 01, 2019 04:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).