KKM members refute FIR charges against them

Pune: A day after the Pune police registered a case against organisers of the Elgar Parishad on December 31, including members of the Kabir Kala Manch (KKM), on charges related to promoting enmity between various groups, KKM activists on Wednesday allegedly dubbed the FIR as ‘false and an attempt to divert attention from accusations against right wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote’.   

“The FIR lodged against Kabir Kala Manch activists for creating hatred among communities by organising Elgar Parishad is completely false and an attempt to divert attention from accusations against right wing leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote,” said a KKM activist at a media interaction today.

He said, “Elgar Parishad held on December 31 in Pune and event at Bhima Kotegoan are completely two different events. Despite that we are being accused that Elgar Parishad caused riots in Bhima Koregoan which is utter false.”

Akash Sabale said, “The FIR lodged against KKM members accusing that they tried to create communal hatred through songs, plays and talks. However all songs  we performed at the Parishad were not presented for the first time. We have been presenting them for the last three months and  there were riots nowhere.”

Jyoti Jagtap, one of the members of KKM, said, “Dipak Dengale, member of KKM is also booked in this FIR but he was never part of any program, organising committee of Elgar Parishad. He didn’t even attend it but complainant says that he has seen all organisers and Dipak Denagale is one of them.”

The three accused arrested for attempt to murder are for murder of Rahul Fatangale, The youth who died in Koregoan Bhima riots.

Eight people have been arrested today in connection with riots at Bhima Koregoan by Pune Rural police. Thus  the police has arrested total 51 people till now.