Mumbai, June 10 : The Maharashtra PUCL has condemned the communal violence that erupted in Kolhapur on June 8 and the preceding caste-killing of a youth in Nanded on June 2, and urged the state government and police to take urgent measures for restoring peace and harmony in the state, here on Saturday.

"These are just the latest in a series of incidents of violence against religious minorities, Dalits and tribals in the state... and stoking caste and communal conflicts in Maharashtra," said Desai and Jesani.

They referred to the killing of a Dalit youth, Akshay Sharavan Bhalerao by nine persons as he had organised a rally to celebrate the anniversary of Dr B. R. Ambedkar in Bhondar (Nanded) on April 30.

The PUCL also highlighted how on June 7, a large number of people owing allegiance to various Hindutva organisations gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk in Kolhapur following a shutdown call in protest against social media posts of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and the Mysore King Tipu Sultan.

The Sakal Hindu Samaj also took out a rally in Sangamner town of Ahmednagar where hate speeches were reportedly made to incite violence against Muslims, followed by stone-pelting incidents.