Maharashtra farmers’ protest: Police deploy drones, arrest 10

Mumbai city news: The total number of arrests in connection with the violent protests by farmers against a proposed defence airbase is 30

The police have deployed drones to help them in their probe into the violent protests by farmers against a proposed defence airbase in Nevali, Kalyan four days ago. On Monday, the police arrested 10 more villagers in the case, taking the total number of arrests up to 30. They had arrested four people on Saturday and 16 on Sunday.

The protesters assaulted policemen, set seven police vans on fire, and locked traffic last Thursday. (HT)

On Thursday morning, more than 6,500 villagers gathered for what was supposed to be a silent protest.

However, the protest quickly turned violent and the protesters assaulted policemen, set seven police vans on fire, and locked traffic.

It took the police six hours to bring the situation under control.

The police said that the villagers were provoked by a few people.

“We have interrogated the arrested villagers. We realise that the villagers were provoked by someone, but they are not revealing names”, said a police officer from Thane commissionerate.

“We used drones today [Monday], which has helped us to monitor sensitive and isolated areas in villages. We have kept all villages under drone surveillance and it will has also help us arrest the remaining accused, “ said the deputy commissioner of police, zone -4, Sunil Bhardwaj.

“We are investigating the case ahead as there still many suspects at large. We have sent teams to other states as we suspect a few are hiding at their relatives’ places there,” said a police inspector from Thane crime branch.

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Maharashtra farmers’ protest: Police arrest four and book 500, including sarpanch in Kalyan