Prithviraj Chavan orders inquiry into collector's death by burning
'The government would not tolerate attacks on officials and strict action would be taken against those responsible for burning Yashwant Sonawane. I have ordered an inquiry in the matter,' Chavan said.
Maharashtara chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has ordered an in-depth inquiry into the murder of Malegaon additional collector Yashwant Sonawane. The government will not tolerate such attacks on officials and will take stern action against the culprits, he said.Additional chief secretary of the home department Umeshchandra
Sarangi said, “We have directed the inspector general of the range and the district superintendent of police to visit the spot. A thorough inquiry has been ordered.”
Public works department minister and Nashik’s guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who visited the spot, said the culprits should be booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
“The incident is serious and condemnable. The menace is decades old and needs to be weeded out,” he said.
Deadly nexusPanewadi, near Manmad in Nashik district, is a station where depots of all major oil companies are based. The surrounding region has for long been known as an adulteration hub. It is said that the oil mafia is hand-in-glove with politicians.
Officers to protestA popular officer in the revenue department, Sonawane was remembered by his colleagues as a warm, supportive and cultured human being. Work at the collectorate came to a halt as news of his death reached officials.
Fellow officers and juniors expressed rage at the incident. “This is an inhuman act. If an officer of his level and stature can’t be protected, what about others?” This was the sentiment many officers expressed.
GD Kulthe, chairman of the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers’ Association, said, “We condemn this act of burning to death of a fellow officer and demand protection. We have stopped work. On January 27, the association will take out a morcha to condemn the incident and press for demands.”