Sharad Pawar (File photo)
MUMBAI: While state home minister Dilip Walse Patil on Friday said the attack on Sharad Pawar‘s residence was pre-planned, high-ranking bureaucrats felt it was a big security lapse since the NCP chief has the highest security cover (Z-plus), which entitles him to round-the clock protection with at least 20 police personnel in each shift.
For Walse Patil, a trusted Pawar aide, the incident came as a huge embarrassment as it took place hours after he presided over an annual crime conference. Walse Patil advised IPS officers to keep vigil and ensure no major untoward incident takes place. “I will find out if there were lapses on the part of law-enforcing agencies in gathering information. I have given specific instructions to the Mumbai police commissioner as well as joint commissioners,” Walse Patil said.
CM Uddhav Thackeray too condemned the attack and directed police to trace the mastermind. “We have never seen such a trend in the state. Politicians and their family members were never attacked,” Thackeray said.
Sources said the incident was a reflection on the state of Mumbai police and the failure of intelligence agencies, particularly the special branch which failed to understand the pulse of MSRTC workers. Joint commissioner Vishwas Nagare Patil was the first to reach the spot when the attack happened; he was followed by Pawar‘s daughter Supriya Sule.
“After the HC verdict on Thursday, ST worked celebrated the victory and even distributed sweets and the next day, they led a violent attack on the residence of Sharad Pawar. It all appears to be pre-planned. Unless they have huge support, workers will not dare to take such an extreme step. Police will take stern action against leaders who are instigating ST workers. Prima facie, it appears that through ST workers, efforts are being made to destabilize the democratically elected MVA government,” Walse Patil said.
On statements made by ST workers’ lawyer Gunratna Sadawarte, Walse Patil said law-enforcing agencies will examine these and decide the course of action.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Sharad Pawar (File photo)MUMBAI: While state home minister Dilip Walse Patil on Friday said the attack on Sharad Pawar’s residence was pre-planned, high-ranking bureaucrats felt it was a big security lapse since the NCP chief has the highest security cover (Z-plus), which entitles him to round-the clock protection with at least 20 police personnel in each shift. For Walse Patil, a trusted Pawar aide, the incident came as a huge embarrassment as it took place hours after he presided over an annual crime conference. Walse Patil advised IPS officers to keep vigil and ensure no major untoward incident takes place. “I will find out if there were lapses on the part of law-enforcing agencies in gathering information. I have given specific instructions to the Mumbai police commissioner as well as joint commissioners,” Walse Patil said. CM Uddhav Thackeray too condemned the attack and directed police to trace the mastermind. “We have never seen such a trend in the state. Politicians and their family members were never attacked,” Thackeray said. Sources said the incident was a reflection on the state of Mumbai police and the failure of intelligence agencies, particularly the special branch which failed to understand the pulse of MSRTC workers. Joint commissioner Vishwas Nagare Patil was the first to reach the spot when the attack happened; he was followed by Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule. “After the HC verdict on Thursday, ST worked celebrated the victory and even distributed sweets and the next day, they led a violent attack on the residence of Sharad Pawar. It all appears to be pre-planned. Unless they have huge support, workers will not dare to take such an extreme step. Police will take stern action against leaders who are instigating ST workers. Prima facie, it appears that through ST workers, efforts are being made to destabilize the democratically elected MVA government,” Walse Patil said. On statements made by ST workers’ lawyer Gunratna Sadawarte, Walse Patil said law-enforcing agencies will examine these and decide the course of action. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA