Threat, assault, murders — local poll season turns violent in Maharashtra

Incidents that happened within 48 hours till Wednesday evening include that of stabbing of Hidayat Patel in Akola on Tuesday, knife attack on a Shiv Sena candidate in Mumbai on Wednesday, mob attack on AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel’s vehicle in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on Wednesday, an attempt to set on fire the office of an NCP candidate in Sambhaji Nagar on Wednesday and stabbing of Shiv Sena candidate Salim Qureshi in Bandra East, Mumbai, on Wednesday.

In the Akola incident, Hidayat Patel was stabbed by Ubed Patel from his own community. As per police, prima facie, families of both the accused and deceased have been at odds for several years as Ubed’s family felt Hidayat used his clout to ensure they did not get their work done or become locally powerful. Ubed also believed Hidayat was linked to the 2019 murder of his uncle Mateen Patel.

Akola Superintendent of Police Archit Chandok said Hidayat was attacked around 2 pm Tuesday after he came out of the mosque following afternoon prayers. Ubed, who was also in the mosque, stabbed Hidayat several with the knife he was carrying, before fleeing from the spot, the officer said.

“He fled to the jungle in the nearby area, following which nearly 40 policemen were sent to track him. He was found around 8.30 pm yesterday (Tuesday), following which he was arrested. He will be produced before the court for seeking his custody,” Chandok said.

After being stabbed, Hidayat managed to walk by himself, and was taken to the local hospital. However, after his condition deteriorated during the day, a green corridor was set up and he was brought to Akola, an officer said. He suffered a minor heart attack during treatment, following which he passed away Wednesday morning, the officer added.

In the latest incident, Shiv Sena candidate Salim Qureshi was allegedly stabbed while campaigning in Sant Dnyaneshwar Nagar, Bandra Eas). Qureshi is contesting from Ward No. 92.

According to police, the incident occurred around 5 pm and Qureshi sustained injuries to his abdomen. “He is out of danger,” a senior police officer said. Qureshi has been admitted to a private hospital in Bandra (West).

The Kherwadi police are in the process of registering an FIR and have formed multiple teams to trace the attacker. The Mumbai Crime Branch has also launched a parallel investigation.

Qureshi served as a corporator from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) between 2017 and 2022 before joining the Shiv Sena.

On December 26, soon after the local poll results were declared, husband of newly elected councillor in Khopoli, Raigad Mansi Kalokhe was attacked with swords and sickle while he was returning after dropping their daughter to school. The victim, Mangesh Kalokhe, died on the spot.

Police arrested 11 persons, including rival candidate Urmila Devkar who lost out to Manasi, her husband, sons and two contract killers among others.

On January 6, Mumbai Police registered an FIR against 8–10 Shiv Sena workers who allegedly beat up a Borivali resident who objected to party workers entering their society for campaigning. Initially an argument took place, following which the party workers beat him up around 6.30pm on Monday.

An officer from Maharashtra police said, “Some of these cases are those that took place in the spur of the moment. We have maintained sufficient police presence across the state and have taken pre emptive actions such as externing problem-creators in the area and seizing illegal firearms to ensure the election goes by peacefully.”

Another officer said, “Usually during polls, the faultlines between local strongmen come to the fore and when one side is denied ticket, such incidents take place. At times, over enthusiastic party workers of rival parties get aggressive. Proper action is taken in such cases.”