Attack on cops a ploy to create riot-like situation, says Maharashtra Congress

Mumbai: In the wake of the recent attack on two policemen in Latur district, the Maharashtra Congress on Wednesday alleged that the ruling BJP was trying to create a "riot-like" situation in the state.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, after visiting the two injured police constables at Latur civil hospital, told reporters that the BJP-led government had been unable to tackle the drought in Marathwada and other parts of the state.

"When they failed to tackle the drought situation, they are now trying to divert attention of people by trying to create a riot-like situation in Maharashtra," he alleged.

Vikhe Patil demanded that the incident be probed by the CID and MCOCA charges should be slapped on the accused.

"It is shameful that in a progressive state like Maharashtra, police is being attacked and the CM does not take any action. There needs to be a separate minister for the Home Department to tackle such issues," he said.

Notably, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had yesterday described the assault on policemen as an attack on the entire police force and said such attacks won't be tolerated.

Following the CM's directions, Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde and state DGP Praveen Dixit today visit Pangaon village in Latur and interacted with the injured police personnel.

Sixteen people had been earlier arrested in connection with the assault on the policemen when they prevented them from putting up a flag at a spot in Pangaon village.

Inspector LV Rakh, of Renapur police station near Pangaon, was also suspended in connection with the incident.

On the night of February 19, Assistant Sub-Inspector Yunus Shaikh and his colleague K Awaskar allegedly stopped a group of local youths from hoisting a saffron flag in a "sensitive" area.

At 9 am on Saturday, the youths showed up at the police chowki with a mob of around 200-300 people from the village.

The mob allegedly began to attack the duo with fists and lathis. Awaskar managed to escape. Both suffered head injuries but Shaikh was more injured and hospitalised.

A video of the purported attack, which later went viral, showed Shaikh being made to hold a saffron flag and walk down a street with the mob.