Calling for Maha bandh, Ambedkar alleges conspiracy

Mumbai : Bharip Bahujan Mahas-angh leader Prakash Ambedkar on Tuesday alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi chief Milind Ekbote and Shivraj Pratishthan chief Sambhaji Bhide hatched the conspiracy to attack those who had gathered in Pune district to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima- Koregaon. He said that a mere judicial inquiry would not serve the purpose and also asked the Chief Justice of the high court to appoint a sitting judge to probe the matter. He also called for a Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday to condemn the government’s “apathy”.

“The masterminds behind the attack are Manohar alias Sambhaji Bhide, Milind Ekbote and one Ghuge from Manjari village. They hatched the conspiracy, and the government should take action. Even permission was sought from police to celebrate the black day on January 1 at Vadu Budruk where the violence took place near Pune,” said Mr Ambedkar.

Vadu Budruk and three other villages were at the centre of the violence, he said. “The police knew about the conspiracy, and SP rural was out of coverage area when people tried to call him for help,” Mr Ambedkar said.

“Stones were stored in the buildings on the way to Koregaon-Shirur areas, and hence the stone pelting took place,” he alleged.  “The government should stop incentives to these villages,” he demanded.

Mr Ambedkar also stated that 130 helpless women were stuck in villages on the second day also.