Police revoke internet suspension in violence-affected Satara district

Kolhapur: Internet suspension put in place since Sunday night in the aftermath of violence at Pusesawali village in Satara district was revoked early on Thursday.
The violence over objectionable social media post led to the death of one person and injuries suffered by 10 people. Satara district collector Jitendra Dudi had requested the home department officials to clamp internet shutdown to avoid escalation of violence due to fake posts and messages circulating on social media, upon which the telecom services providers were asked to stop the services.Online transactions in the district came to a standstill. Banks’ ATMs and deposit kiosks went out of order.
The authorities are trying hard to bring normalcy back in Pusesawali village, around 25 km from Karad city along Pune-Bangaluru NH 48. On Thursday, a few shops opened their shutters in the main market of the village.
The vendors also came with their carts. However, the traffic on the road was thin. Cops maintained vigilance at every nook and corner of the village. The revenue officials are likely to speak to traders’ associations on Friday to open the market without fear. Section 144 of CrPC will continue to remain in place for some time now.
Dudi in a video message to district residents announced revocation of Internet suspension. “We appeal to citizens of the district that if someone tries to circulate fake and derogatory messages through social media then do not trust and approach the cops and file a complaint. It is the responsibility of all to maintain peace and calm and cooperate with the police administration.”
So far, 39 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence.