On Friday night, Tukaram Kate, the MLA from Anushaktinagar, was attacked by unidentified assailants
In startling claims, Shiv Sena MLA Tukaram Kate, alleged that underworld elements were responsible for his assault, while his party colleague and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Shewale claimed criminal gangs had secured sub-contracts for Metro works. Kate said these underworld gangs were miffed at him for demanding that slum dwellers, who occupy the site earmarked for a Metro car shed and depot at Mankhurd be rehabilitated before work began.
"We have appealed to the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis) to probe Metro railway works through the crime branch... sub-contracts for Metro works are being cornered by local gangs. They are threatening people and spreading fear. The chief minister should take action immediately," said Shewale, the Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South Central.
On Friday night, Kate, the MLA from Anushaktinagar, was attacked by unidentified assailants. Kate, who had earlier halted work at the site, escaped unhurt as the attack was fended off by his associates who were injured.
Kate said he was protesting against work on the depot for the Metro 2-B project (D.N Nagar to Mandale) at Maharashtra Nagar being started before local slum dwellers were rehabilitated.
"There are around 2,500 slums and we told the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) they must be shifted before work begins. However, these shanties were being demolished without notice," added Kate, stating he met senior MMRDA officials who promised rehabilitation before work commenced.
He charged that a "mati mafia" (debris mafia) linked to underworld don D.K Rao had stakes in reclaiming land for the project and was responsible for the attack. "This is very serious," said Kate.
Shewale too charged the contractor had deployed "goondas from a gang" who had attacked Kate. He added that these "goons" had started work despite the MMRDA's assurances. This led to Kate stopping a vehicle and handing it over to the police, prompting the attack.
The D N Nagar to Mandale corridor will be 23.643km long with 22 stations. The depot is being built on over 22 hectare of land at Mandale. MMRDA officials did not respond to the charges.
However, former minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik who lost to Kate in 2014, called for an "in-depth probe." "If a contractor is attacking a MLA, then this gives rise to questions about Maharashtra turning into another Bihar. This may be because of contesting claims over contracts or even internal rivalries within the Shiv Sena... the police probe will reveal it, but there are many things going on for getting contracts," alleged Malik.
"So far no arrests have been made in the case but the probe is on. The case is being investigated rigorously and search for those absconding has been intensified. Some words are being spread about alleged involvement of the underworld behind the act but that too needs to be investigated with clarity so in the coming times, if there is any involvement as such then it would be highlighted and updated within time. There are some leads founds in the case but that too shall be made clear soon." said Additional Commissioner of Police, eastern region, Lakhmi Gautam.
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 "Tukaram Kate")
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