Two Shiv Sena leaders, including the deputy leader of the party’s Ahmednagar unit, were shot dead on Saturday evening in Ahmednagar’s Kedgaon area, leading to high tension in the district.
According to the police, the shooting occurred between 6 and 6.15 p.m. Sanjay Kotkar, deputy chief of the city unit, and party leader Vasant Thube, were attacked by two people. “Both were killed on the spot. Reports suggest they were first shot at and later killed with sharp weapons. We have formed a team to nab the assailants and are trying to ascertain the motive for the murders,” said a senior police official.
For some time after the murder, the bodies were lying on the street as onlookers were scared to come forward and report the crime.
Authorities said prima facie , political rivalry seemed to be the motive.
Angry Shiv Sainiks gathered in large numbers after news of the attack spread, resulting in vandalism and stone pelting. Shopkeepers downed shutters while residents stayed indoors following violent protests. A number of private vehicles and some police transport vans were damaged in the mob fury, according to reports.
A large number of police personnel reached the Shahunagar locality to pacify incensed party workers. Shiv Sena leaders also reached the murder spot later.
The murders come against the backdrop of Saturday’s bypoll to the Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation (AMC) in which Vishal Kotkar of the Congress won from Kedgaon (ward no. 32), beating the Sena and BJP candidates.
Authorities said there was a strong possibility of the murders being the fallout of the bypoll results.
