Tension prevailed in the city of Phaltan in Satara district of Maharashtra on Thursday after supporters of Khaanif Gholap, “a gangster” and local leader took to the streets following his murder.
Vitthal Jadhav, superintendent of police, Satara, told The Hindu over phone that Gholap was “a notorious gangster” from the Matang community. He had 32 offences against him since 1993, including those of murder, extortion and dacoity. He had also dabbled into politics and was believed to be a sympathiser of the Nationalist Congress Party. He was expelled from the Shiv Sena last year.
Mr. Jadhav said Gholap was sexually assaulting a woman when her relatives attacked him with swords and killed him. Following his murder, his supporters and members of the Matang communities pelted stones on the streets. They refused the body to be moved. Two police officers sustained injuries.
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In response to the growing tension, shops in Phaltan downed their shutters and the Malgalwar Peth area, where Gholap lived, remained sensitive as people observed a bandh.
By Thursday evening the situation was under control, the authorities said.