Mumbai: Legislators seeking action against the Shiv Sena and local police for allegedly fanning communal tension in Aurangabad protested against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis outside his office on Tuesday.
Two people were killed and more than 60 were injured in clashes in Aurangabad on May 11 between two communities over illegal water connections. Around 100 shops were set on fire and more than 40 vehicles were destroyed in the violence.
The delegation, including the Samajwadi Party’s Abu Asim Azmi, Congress legislators Amin Patel, Abdul Sattar, Aslam Shaikh and Asif Shaikh, Waris Pathan and Imtiyaz Jaleel of the AIMIM, had sought an appointment with Mr. Fadnavis, but were not given one. They later moved to Mantralaya staircase to continue their protest.
Though they claimed to have had an appointment with Mr. Fadnavis, government officials denied the samethe delegation didn’t have one, and the CM was unable to allot time. “The CM has asked them to meet either on Tuesday night or on Wednesday,” an official said. Mr. Fadnavis said, “They didn’t inform me that they were coming and I was not in office when they arrived. However, I told them they may come tonight or tomorrow.”
The MLAs claimed to have video footage of the riots, which allegedly show Sena leaders instigating violence with the help of the local police. The delegation sought compensation of ₹1 lakh for the injured and ₹50 lakh for the next-of-kin of those who lost their lives in the riots. It also demanded that families whose property was destroyed be rehabilitated at the earliest.
Mr. Jaleel sought action against police personnel seen in the video grabs. “We demand they be suspended immediately and booked under relevant sections of the IPC. Action should also be taken against the Shiv Sainiks who were part of the riots.” He added that Mr. Fadnavis asked them to meet him at his official residence on Tuesday night.
