SOLAPUR, India, 19 November 2006 — Night curfew was imposed on Solapur yesterday after cases of arson and violence were reported for the fourth consecutive day. Dalits (low caste Hindus) in the town have been protesting this week over the murder of a family of four in Khairlanji in Bhandara district of Maharashtra.
The decision to impose curfew was taken late Friday night after talks between the state minister in charge of Solapur, Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, and the organizers of a rally, who were to take out a march demanding stern action against Dalit activists for violence in the city, failed. The members of the rally demanded action against Dalit activists, who threw stones and damaged public as well as private property during their protests.
Police baton-charged violent Dalit demonstrators at several places in the town. Four persons were reportedly injured in police baton charge and stone throwing. Police Deputy Commissioner Arun Varke was one of them.
