Violence Erupts During Anti-Encroachment Drive at Vishalgad Fort

The anti-encroachment drive at Vishalgad Fort in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district escalated into violence as a mob attacked police and damaged property, leading to 500 people being charged and 21 arrested. The district administration removed 70 encroachments. Political reactions have highlighted the unrest and questioned the government's actions.

The anti-encroachment drive at Vishalgad Fort in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district turned violent as a mob hurled stones at police personnel and damaged properties, leading to the registration of cases against 500 people and the arrest of 21 others, police said on Monday.

The Kolhapur district collector stated that 70 encroachments were removed at the medieval-era structure, a significant fort of the Maratha empire during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on Monday.

Violence erupted on Sunday after some right-wing activists led by Maratha royal and former MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who had come from Pune, were stopped at the base of the fort due to prohibitory orders.