Nagpur: Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and several NCP (SP) workers were detained on Thursday after police stopped a ‘Tiranga Motorcycle Rally’ at Akashwani Square in Nagpur.The rally, led by Deshmukh, began from Samvidhan Chowk and was organised to press for demands including employment opportunities for local youth, steps to control inflation and transparency in govt recruitment examinations.After starting from Samvidhan Chowk, participants travelled through Variety Chowk, Jhansi Rani Chowk, Alankar Talkies Chowk and Bhole Petrol Pump Chowk before reaching Akashwani Chowk, where police intercepted the rally and detained the former minister along with party office-bearers and workers.The action led to brief tension at the spot as party workers insisted that they be allowed to submit a memorandum to the district administration. Police later escorted Deshmukh and other detained workers to the collector’s office, where the memorandum was submitted to resident deputy collector Anup Khande.The memorandum sought immediate filling of vacant posts in govt and semi-govt departments, including in the police force. It also demanded priority for local youth from Maharashtra in employment in industrial and private sectors.The party further sought steps to curb rising prices of essential commodities, including sugar and petrol. It also demanded transparent conduct of govt examinations and strict legal action against those involved in question paper leaks.
