50 youths held for protesting against Palghar malnourishment deaths

The Thane police department arrested 50 individuals for protesting against the increase in number of malnutrition deaths in Palghar, outside the collectorate where CM Fadnavis was present for discussions on development projects in the Konkan region. The protest led by activist Pramod Pawar, the district youth wing president of Shramjeevi Sanghatna along with children, women and youths staged a protest outside the Thane Collector's office when the Chief Minister arrived at the venue.

Earlier, advocate Vishnu Savara, the tribal development minister and the guardian minister of Palghar district were cornered by the protesters after the death of a child in the Palghar district as the activists alleged corruption in the schemes for the tribal development."We need permanent solutions to these problems instead of just assurances which has led to more deaths due to malnutrition", said Vivek Pandit, president of Shramjeevi Sanghatna.

"The Governor of Maharashtra applauded our fight for justice for the poor tribals but the politicians are unable to hear the cries of the poor tribals," added Pandit. PRO Police (Thane) Sukhada Narkar said, "We have arrested 50 protesters including the district youth president for sloganeering and protesting without adequate permissions."He further added, "The case has been investigated by the Thane Nagar police station and further actions would be initiated as per legal procedures."