Pune firing: Government has murdered people, says Uddhav Thackeray

Terming the police firing in which three farmers were killed during violent protests in Pune district, as 'murder', Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray Thursday sought resignation of Deputy Chief minister Ajit Pawar and Home Minister RR Patil.

"Those who are behind this monstrous deed have no right to stick to their chairs," Uddhav said, demanding resignation of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Home Minister RR Patil.

He was talking to reporters, after meeting family members of the firing victims in Maval region.

"What action has been taken against policemen who fired on the protesters? We have seen on TV channels the protesters were running away. They were chased and fired upon," he said.

"Is there any action going to be taken against the guilty policemen?" Uddhav asked. Policemen involved in the incident should be suspended, he said.

Everyone wants water for Pimpri Chinchwad, Uddhav said. "But when we open the taps, we want water to come out of the taps, not blood," he said. "No one is opposed to giving water to Pimpri Chinchwad," he added.

"We are told not to politicise the issue. What exactly should we do. The government will fire upon people and should we keep quiet?" he said.

On a letter written by Sena MP Gajanan Babar to the government, favouring water supply from Pavna dam to PCMC, Uddhav said he did write the letter but "did not write in the letter that the government should kill people."