In a surprising event, Maharashtra Assembly on Friday witnessed unity among all party legislators against the beating of Congress MLA Nitesh Rane and Shiv Sena MLA Vaibhav Naik by Sindhudurg SP Dttatr
In a surprising event, Maharashtra Assembly on Friday witnessed unity among all party legislators against the beating of Congress MLA Nitesh Rane and Shiv Sena MLA Vaibhav Naik by Sindhudurg SP Dttatray Shinde. Bowing to pressure from all party members and the noisy scene in the Assembly, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis sent the SP on compulsory leave.
The Assembly was adjourned three times after Congress MLA Nitesh Rane who was arrested on Saturday raised the issue and demanded suspension of the SP and the collector Anil Bhandare who refused to meet the protesters. Immediately, Shiv Sena MLAs supported the demand and arch-rival of Rane, MLA Vaibhav Naik also spoke about how he was beaten on the order of the SP. The BJP members also supported the suspension. “Taking into consideration the sentiments of the House, the Superintendent of Police will be sent on compulsory leave,” Mr Fadnavis said. The CM has also sought a report on the incident after which action will be taken against the collector.
Nitesh, son of former minister Narayan Rane had led a protest at the district collector’s office in support of demands by sand dumper operators, which turned violent on Saturday after which he and a few others were arrested. The protest was against the rules enforced by the collector regarding sand mining and minor minerals. Shiv Sena and BJP leaders had also supported the protest.
Seeking attention on the issue, Nitesh said that the collector refused a meeting with the protesters after which police resorted to lathi charge. “Shiv Sena MLA Vaibhav Naik and a few BJP leaders were also beaten by the police. The SP and the collector should be suspended immediately,” he said.
Supporting the demand, Mr Naik said, “The collector always refuses to meet. The police attacked me despite knowing that I am an MLA and that I was just protesting peacefully outside the collector’s office.”
The all-party members even got in the well to pursue their demand and shouted slogans against the officials. They even termed it as dictatorship of the officials and requested the legislature to teach them a lesson. The House was adjourned three times amid the sloganeering. Finally, the CM had to make a statement and sent the SP on the compulsory leave.
