NAGPUR, DECEMBER 23: The entire Opposition in the State Legislative Council on Wednesday staged a stormy walkout, accusing the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party Government of shielding those involved in the communal riots at Raver in Jalgaon district on November 11.The leader of the Opposition in the House, Nitin Gadkari, criticised the coalition government for its inability to prevent the riots. Some Opposition members also alleged that the Government was protecting a particular community. They shouted slogans against the Government and insisted that a non-partisan inquiry be conducted into the matter.Earlier, Minister of State for Home Manikrao Thakre informed the House that as many as 130 persons were arrested in this case and later released on bail.A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the sub-divisional magistrate of Bhusawal has been entrusted with the job, the Minister said. He was responding to a question raised by Jaiprakash Bawiskar (Shiv Sena) and others.Meanwhile, former Maharashtra minister Udayanraje Bhonsale, who served as Minister of State for Revenue during the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena rule, was arrested along with 14 associates for his involvement in the murder of Satara municipal councilor Sharad Lene, Thakre informed the Council here Thursday.The Minister added that Bhonsale had been charged with leading the murderous attack with swords on the deceased on September 9, during the Assembly elections.According to Thakre, the former minister was moving with a police escort on the Assembly election day. He absconded after the incident and was arrested later.Bhonsale was allegedly involved in several criminal offences before the incident. A chargesheet against the former minister and his aides was filed on December 8.Earlier, leader of the Opposition Nitin Gadkari objected to the mention of Bhonsale's name, who belongs to his party, on the ground that he had not been proved guilty by the court yet. Besides, he pointed out that the matter should not be discussed in the House as it was sub-judice, which was rejected by the Chair saying facts could be tabled in the House.
