Shiv Sena MLA attacked in Pune, two arrested

Seven youths have been arrested in connection with the assault. They include Anand Rupchand Gajbhiye 23 of Vitthalnagar Pashan, Gabbar Ahmed Shaikh 22 of Vitthal Nimhan chawl, Praveen Gujar 29, Sandeep Nimhan 22, Sanjay Jagtap 25, Ganesh Supekar 24, and Harishchandra Shinde 27.

The city Shiv Sena unit has said essential services have been left out from the bandh. The party has also planned a morcha to the police commissionerate. Police suspect that some old feud, probably a political one between Nimhan and one of his distant relatives, Rambhau Nimhan, led to the assault.

A bandh was observed in Pashan on Wednesday to condemn the incident. Theassault took place near the vegetable market in Pashan village at around 8 pm when Nimhan was walking along the road, accompanied by friends.

According to party workers, Nimhan received a call on his mobile phone and stopped at the road side to attend it while the others moved ahead. The persons who were following Nimhan, then attacked him. They circled him and one of the accused threw chilly powder in his eyes, and Nimhan was hit on the head with a heavy blunt object.

Nimhan8217;s colleagues immediately chased the attackers who managed to escape. Nimhan was then rushed to hospital.

According to Shiv Sena city unit chief Chandrakant Amrale, Nimhan has recognized two persons arrested by the police. Amrale alleged that the attackers belonged to the Congress and political rivalry led to the assault. He alleged that despite providing the list of the accused to the police they did not initiate timely action.