Congress flays slapping of 144 in Palghar

Condemning the imposition of section 144 in Palghar district where a two-and-a-half year old child had died due to malnutrition last week, the Congress on Tuesday said that it is shocking to see that the government does not want even want tribal citizens to express their feelings.

Four days back, following Sagar Wagh's death due to malnutrition, his family members refused to talk to minister for tribal development Vishnu Savara. The leader of the Opposition in state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil visited Kalambwadi in Mokhada taluka of Palghar district and met family members of Sagar. Minister for women and child development Pankaja Munde is scheduled to visit Kalambwadi on Wednesday.

Comparing the state Government with colonial British Raj in the country, Vikhe-Patil on Tuesday said that section 144 was imposed in Palghar district to prevent the poor tribals from expressing their feelings during Munde's visit on Wednesday.

Congress state unit president Ashok Chavan has termed the step by police department as shocking and demanded immediate removal of Vishnu Savara from the state cabinet.