Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Jalnas Antarwali Sarati village, where Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil went on a hunger strike from October 25, remained the epicentre of quota stir in the state, but the policy adopted by the district police to identify and counsel youths in the 457 villages of concern ensured that it remained largely peaceful.Deterioration in Patils health resulted in large-scale violence in different parts of the state, but Jalna did not witness any major violence involving targeting of public or private properties.The police also identified criminal elements with potential to give a violent turn to the agitation and initiated preventive action against 180 suspects, before the second phase of the agitation could start. During the second phase of agitation, Jalna police registered 17 FIRs, for torching a bus cabin, pelting stones at tehsildars vehicleunlawful assembly etc.The police used the period of 40 days, given by Jarange to the state government to fulfil the reservation demand, to counsel the youths and even their parents.Jalnas in-charge superintendent of police Shailesh Balkawade saidthat counselling of youths in 457 of the total 967 villages of Jalna district played a key role in ensuring no major violence. He told TOI, In consultation with seniors, our strategy was to counsel youths in 457 villages of concern. We convinced these youths and their parents that opting for violence not only diverts the agitation from the goal but also leads to repercussions on their personal as well as professional lives. A mediator between the police and Patil, were avoided, too, said Balkawade. We made it clear that the police were not against their demand, and innocents will not face any action, said Balkawade. In Jalna, we found that majority of the youths participating in the agitation had no history of political affiliations, so there was no point in roping political leaders, a senior officer from state intelligence said.We also published the following articles recentlyDrug haul case: Saki Naka police take custody of Bhushan Patil, associate Abhishek BalkawadeThe Saki Naka police in Mumbai have taken custody of two individuals involved in a Rs 305-crore mephedrone drug seizure case. With their arrest, a total of 20 people have been apprehended in connection with the drug haul. Meanwhile, the Pune police have taken custody of a drug racketeer who had escaped from their custody earlier. The arrested individuals were manufacturing drugs in rented premises and had a network of distributors supplying mephedrone in Mumbai, Nashik, and Pune. Detailed information about the distributors was found in a seized diary.Maharashtra CM convenes all-party meet over Maratha quota agitation, asks activist Manoj Jarange to end fastLeaders at an all-party meeting in Mumbai have urged activist Manoj Jarange to end his indefinite fast for Maratha quota. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed the governments support for the quota and called for cooperation from Jarange. The government needs time to legally implement the reservation and has asked for restraint to avoid violence. The government has also published an order to issue fresh caste certificates to eligible Maratha community members. Jarange has threatened to stop drinking water if the "complete" quota is not granted.Maratha quota agitation: No internet in 3rd Maharashtra dist as violence continues & highways are blockedViolence and road blockades continue in Maharashtra for the third day amid protests over the Maratha quota stir. Internet services have been suspended for 48 hours in nine tehsils in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district due to the worsening law and order situation. Maratha activists have blocked roads and burnt tyres in various parts of the state, disrupting traffic. The government has imposed restrictions on public assembly, closed liquor shops, and made arrests in response to the protests. The agitation stems from the states failure to grant reservation to the entire Maratha community.

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