Kolhapur, 11 August — Police in Kolhapur district have registered a criminal case after a protest by ex-servicemen and villagers against a proposed MIDC project in Jaysingpur town allegedly turned violent on Sunday, with complaints that protesters were attacked by supporters of a local MLA.
The FIR names six identified persons, including the personal security guard of Shirol MLA Rajendra Patil Yadravkar, and 35 unidentified individuals, according to a report in the Times of India. The complaint was filed following video clips that circulated on social media and allegations made by former military personnel who were at the agitation.
What police recorded
Police registered the case shortly after midnight on Sunday under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing unlawful assembly, rioting and grievous hurt. The FIR lists the following sections:
- Sections 189(1) and 189(2) — unlawful assembly;
- Sections 190 and 191(2) — rioting;
- Section 118(1) — grievous hurt;
- Section 324(4) — causing hurt with a dangerous weapon (as per the FIR text reported).
| Allegation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assault on protesters | Complaints by ex-servicemen and villagers; videos circulated |
| Damage to vehicle | Accused alleged to have damaged an SUV's windshield |
| Persons named | Six identified, including MLA's security guard; 35 unidentified |
Background: land dispute and veterans' concerns
The protest was organised by residents of Sainik Takli and neighbouring villages who oppose Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) acquisition in the area. Protesters say remaining undeveloped land should be reserved for facilities for ex-Army men and serving soldiers rather than be allotted to an industrial estate that, they contend, was being pursued by the MLA.
- Sainik Takli is reported to have about 1,200 retired servicemen and nearly 400 personnel currently serving in various battalions.
- The community has recognised sacrifices: the report notes 18 soldiers from the area who have died in service.
According to residents cited in the Times of India report, a delegation of protesters met the MLA but the talks concluded without a resolution. Videos that later appeared on social media allegedly show supporters of the MLA and his personal security guard engaging with protesters, with claims that some demonstrators were physically assaulted and had their clothes torn.
"Protesters were physically attacked during the agitation," said one of the complainants, former Army Captain Deepak Krishna Patil, according to the report.
Another complainant, identified as former Air Force personnel Amarkumar Ashok Patil in the report, alleged he was beaten with a stick used to carry a flag. The FIR also refers to damage to the windshield of an SUV during the incident.
Police response and next steps
As of the time the report was filed, no arrests had been made, Times of India reported. The police have recorded the FIR and investigations are under way to identify the remaining accused and verify the evidence captured on video.
Attempts to reach MLA Rajendra Patil Yadravkar for comment were unsuccessful, the report said.
Locally, the case highlights tensions between industrial expansion and veteran welfare in Kolhapur district. Sainik communities in the region often seek land and facilities that preserve social and economic benefits for ex-servicemen; any land acquisition or rezoning that is seen as undermining those needs can provoke strong opposition in towns such as Jaysingpur and nearby talukas.
The police investigation and any subsequent legal action will be watched closely in Kolhapur, where civic stakeholders and veteran groups may press for a clear outcome and assurances on the future use of the disputed land.
