Maharastra govt targets oil mafia; 17 lakh employees strike work

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Jan 27: Maharashtra government has ordered a massive crackdown on the oil mafia, even as nearly 17 lakh government employees and officers are striking work Thursday to protest against the murder of Nashik additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane by the oil mafia in Manmad.

As per reports, overnight raids were conducted at over 200 places across the state by the excise department to crackdown on the oil adulterers.

 

The milk adulterers are also said to be under the scanner.

As per reports, more than 100 people have been booked by the police; they will be produced in the court later today.

The employees strike called by the Maharashtra Gazetted Officers Federation - Class-1 and Class-2 officers – has been supported by other unions.

"Sonawane was killed while on duty. We will come to office and then stage fierce protests all over the state," GV Kulthe, general secretary of the federation said.

Shaken by the "shocking" and "gruesome" murder of an upright official, the striking employees are also demanding that the government provide protection to officers doing risky jobs. Sonawane, 44, was doused with kerosene and burnt alive in Panewadi, near Manmad in Nashik district Tuesday, when he went to conduct a raid on the local oil mafia for pilferage from kerosene tankers.

Around a dozen people have been already arrested in connection with the case.

The main accused Popat Shinde, who also sustained 60-65 percent burn injuries, has been admitted to a hospital in Malegaon. His condition is reported to be serious.

A 1994-batch Maharashtra cadre officer, Sonawane was posted at Malegaon since over a year. He is survived by his wife and two children.

However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Cahvan assured, "Nobody will be spared. The accused have been arrested. My government has taken serious note of the ghastly incident and we will go into the root of the anti-social activities of sand and oil mafia and adulteration."

Chavan has already announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for Sonawane’s family, besides full salary till the date of his retirement, government job for one dependent, educational expenses of his children till they complete their graduation, and also a house.