Government officers in Maharastra go on strike

The Gazetted officers in Maharashtra on Thursday struck work to protest the killing of Additional Collector Yashwant Sonawane demanding adequate protection for them.

Condemning the brutal murder of 46-year-old Sonawane by oil mafia goons at Manmad in Nasik district on Tuesday, the officers demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the crime.

The Maharashtra State Gazetted Officer’s Association’s general secretary GD Kulthe said besides abstaining from work, they would organise rallies across the state in protest of the killing and for an assurance from the government for full protection to the officers and employees while on duty.

So far six suspects were taken to police custody.

About a dozen criminals poured kerosene over Sonawane and on fire.

The murder – which took place in broad daylight and with apparently no fear of reprisal – has outraged the country, and has brought up the issue of the infamous oil mafia that operates in Manmad, an area famous for its oil depots.

Manmad is at the junction of four highways, which makes it easier for the pilferage to take place when the trucks are enroute to other towns. It is home to huge oil depots owned by companies like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum. Oil tankers fill up petrol, diesel or kerosene here – and are then fingered by the local mafia.

“We have ordered very strict action against wherever such activities are taking place in the state…we are going to the root of this incident…who is behind it. The main accused is being interrogated in hospital,” said Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

He added that while all officers “have standing orders not to conduct raids unless they are accompanied by police officers,” Sonawane was not conducting a raid when he was killed.

“The collector was on another duty and acted as a good officer,” said the Chief Minister.