MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the withdrawal of police cases filed against proMaratha reservation protesters in Jalna district, the epicentre of the latest round of stir on the issue, and urged quota activist Manoj Jarange to end his indefinite fast. He has also announced the suspension of three police officials involved in lathi-charge on quota agitators in central Maharashtra’s Jalna district in the first week of September. The Chief Minister made the announcements on Monday night after presiding over an all-party meeting in Mumbai held against the backdrop of the ongoing Maratha quota agitation led by Jarange.

 

The activist is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike since August 29 at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district demanding reservation in Government jobs and education under the OBC category for the Maratha community. Jarange on Monday said he will take a decision on Tuesday afternoon on continuing his hunger strike and asserted he would not succumb to pressure from either the Government or the Opposition on the quota issue. CM Shinde told reporters here,“The State Government has decided to withdraw police cases filed against Maratha quota protesters. Necessary instructions have been given to officials as well.” “The State Government has decided to suspend three police officials who were involved in lathi-charge on Maratha quota protesters,” the CM said.