Villagers attack woman sarpanch for curbing power thefts

A 26-year-old woman deputy sarpanch and her husband were allegedly roughed up by irate locals after she unearthed several cases of power thefts in her village Kunda, district rural police said today.

The incident took place yesterday when Asha M Hoge was returning home with her husband on a motorbike after attending the official flag hoisting function on Republic Day in Kunda village of Bhiwandi taluka, they said

An armed group, including some women, intercepted them and attacked the duo with axe, iron rods, sticks and chilli powder, Police Incharge A B Nimbalkar of Ganeshpuri police station said.

The locals were angry on MSEB's action against alleged power thefts in the village, which the deputy sarpanch had brought to their notice, he said.

An offence under various sections of the IPC was registered against the members of the mob who attacked the couple in front of their house in the village.

However no arrest has been made in this connection so far, police added.

The names of the alleged accused were given as Bhagwan Talke, Manohar B Hoge, Barku B Hoge, Arund Agiwale, Neeta M Hoge and Sula A Hoge.

The couple, who sustained injuries, was being treated at a local hospital and later discharged, police added.