Nearly  10 lakh attend Koregaon-Bhima commemoration

Pune, Jan 2: A year after caste clashes marred the event to celebrate the anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle on tuesday, eight to 10 lakh people paid tributes amidst a heavy police presence at the memorial here, which has come to be known as a symbol of Dalit pride.

          What set apart Tuesday’s event from last year was the prevalence of a cordial atmosphere and an active participation of the locals, who welcomed the visitors with roses and water bottles since Monday, besides offering them free food.

          Security agencies were keeping a tight vigil with CCTV and drone cameras in view of the caste clashes that had erupted last year, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

          At least 5,000 police personnel, 1,200 Home Guard jawans, 12 companies (comprising around 100 personnel each) of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and 2,000 Dalit volunteers were deployed in and around Perne village, where people paid tributes at the “Jay Stambh” memorial.

          As a precautionary measure, internet services were suspended in the area, police said.

          As many as 500 CCTV cameras, 11 drone cameras and 40 video cameras were monitoring the area, a senior police officer said, adding that police checkposts were also set up along the border of Pune district.

          Around eight to 10 lakh people visited the victory pillar and the villagers and visitors extended full cooperation to the administration in maintaining peace.

          The “Jay Stambh” memorial was erected by the British in Perne for the soldiers killed in the Koregaon Bhima battle on January 1, 1818. It has since attained a legendary stature in Dalit history.