Mowad peaceful; residents allow victim’s funeral after persuasion

The town,40 km from here,had witnessed a mob fury on Friday against three persons,including two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) activists — one of them a local office-bearer and another vice-president of the municipal council — and a police constable allegedly close to them,over an alleged rape incident that the people claimed happened at the constable’s residence. The constable,Pramod Tabhane,has since been suspended from service. The NCP also on Friday announced the suspension of Firoze Sheikh,the local NCP office-bearer said to be close to a senior NCP leader.

The police have rounded up 28 persons in connection with Friday’s riot. However,there was no complaint from the girl’s family about any rape. The family was moved by the police to an unknown place. It is gathered that the girl is due to get married soon.

The mob attacked the police station alleging inaction,resulting in a cane-charge. The police finally opened fire in “self-defence” when the mob refused to stop attacking them,killing Gorshe and injuring Manish Pachori,25. “We held a long discussion with the residents,who finally agreed to allow the funeral to take place. The situation is now peaceful,” Superintendent of Police Manoj Sharma (Nagpur rural) told The Sunday Express.

Sharma,however,said there was no promise of any compensation made. “We can’t do it. We only said no one will be unduly harassed in the attack on police.” Asked if the rape had taken place,Sharma said,“We can’t say unless a complaint was lodged. We approached the girl’s family for it. But they refused to give any complaint.” On the constable’s role,he said,“He is a highly rated policeman,but due to outrage against him,we have suspended him.”

BJP leaders Pandurang Phundkar and Eknath Khadse later visited the town.

The people who led the charge on Friday belonged to both the NCP and Shiv Sena. Sources say the NCP group that agitated on Friday was opposed to Sheikh and his accomplice Firoze Diwan.