Journalism of Courage
Tension at Sassoon Hospital after family members refuse to receive victims bodies
The rural police have lodged cases of attempt to murder and rioting against those who attacked and pelted stones at the police on Tuesday during the Maval bandh called by the BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI and the Bharat Kisan Sangh in protest against the Rs 400-crore closed pipeline project initiated by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
The FIR was lodged at the Wadgaon Maval police station. District superintendent of police Sandeep Karnik said investigation was on to identify the culprits.
Earlier on Wednesday morning,Sassoon Hospital witnessed tense moments with families of the three deceased persons Kantabai Thakar,40,Moreshwar Sathe,40,and Shyam Tupe,29 refusing to receive the bodies. Around 100 persons had gathered at the hospital and there were heated arguments among the victims family members,police personnel and hospital staff. The family members,however,received the bodies around 2 pm.
The bodies were handed over to relatives after an agitation by the BJP at the district collectorate. BJP leaders, including party city president Vikas Mathkari,visited the morgue.
Tight security arrangements were made at Sassoon Hospital and senior police officers,including deputy commissioners of police C G Kumbhar and Raghunath Khaire,were monitoring the arrangements. Deputy commissioner (special branch) Makrand Ranade also visited the hospital. Sub divisional officer (Maval) Sanjay Patil,who is heading the inquiry into the police firing,was also present.
Inspector Maruti Ingawale of Wadgaon Maval police,who suffered a major head injury in stone pelting and admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic,is reportedly out of danger. Over 25 police personnel were injured.
