Jalna District Imposes Strict Curfew After Activist's Call for Mumbai Protest
The Jalna district administration took decisive action on Saturday. Authorities imposed a full day curfew in both Jalna and Ambad towns. This precautionary measure aimed to maintain law and order.
Background: Mumbai Police Denies Permission for Hunger Strike
The curfew decision came just one day after a significant development in Mumbai. Police officials there denied permission to Dhangar community activist Deepak Borade. He planned to hold an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan. His goal was to push for the inclusion of the Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribes category.
District Collector and Magistrate Ashima Mittal formally declared the curfew. It remained in effect from 5:00 AM until midnight on Saturday. Officials cited serious apprehensions about large-scale mobilization towards Mumbai as the primary reason.
Activist Taken Into Custody and Released on Bond
Authorities moved quickly against the activist. Police took Deepak Borade into preventive custody from his residence in Chhatrapati Colony, Jalna. This action followed his public appeal. He had urged members of the Dhangar community to assemble and proceed to Mumbai to support the proposed protest.
Later on Saturday, around 6:45 PM, police produced Borade before Judicial Magistrate First Class SN Pund. The court noted several key points in its order. The accused had no complaint of ill-treatment. Advocate A M Tarade represented him during the proceedings.
The magistrate's observation was clear. The collector had declared prohibitory orders in the district. Prima facie, Borade contravened these directions. He called upon the public to assemble and move towards Mumbai for a hunger strike.
However, the court reached a specific conclusion. Custodial interrogation was not immediately necessary. Being a resident within the court's jurisdiction, Borade was unlikely to abscond.
Exercising powers under Section 172 of the BNSS, 2023, the magistrate ordered his release. He was released on a personal recognisance bond of Rs 25,000. This release came with several stringent conditions attached.
Stringent Conditions for Release
The court order laid down strict rules for the activist. Borade must strictly abide by the curfew and all prohibitory orders issued by the collector. He faces clear restrictions on his activities.
The order restrains him from several specific actions. He cannot call upon, instigate, mobilise, or address any gathering. This prohibition covers protests, hunger strikes, processions, or assemblies. These restrictions remain in force for the entire duration of the prohibitory orders.
Jalna Superintendent of Police Ajaykumar Bansal confirmed the sequence of events. He stated, "The activist was taken into preventive custody and produced before the court, which released him on conditions."
The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the demand for ST status by the Dhangar community. Administrative actions reflect concerns about maintaining public order during such sensitive movements.
