Spate of shootouts due to political rivalry in Maharashtra has cops worried

CCTV footage of the attack on former BJP corporator Mahendra More in Jalgaon district

With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, the Maharashtra Police are worried about the fallout of the rift between different political factions affecting law and order adversely. The police's worry stems from the spate of shootouts in the state, all of which are rooted in political enmity, which might get worse as elections draw closer.

On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the dire law and order situation in the State of Maharashtra. "The rampant use of firearms to intimidate innocent civilians and public representatives has plunged the state into a perpetual state of fear and insecurity. Despite law and order being a state subject, the Government of Maharashtra's failure to address these recurring incidents reflects a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of its citizens," she said in her letter.

YC Pawar, PK Jain, Sushma Andhare, Priyanka Chaturvedi

On February 8, Abhishek Ghosalkar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, was brutally shot dead on a Facebook Live session in the Dahisar area of Mumbai. This happened a day after a former BJP corporator, Mahendra alias Balu More was seriously injured after five assailants opened fire at him in Chalisgaon in Jalgaon district. Just days earlier, on February 3, BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad brazenly opened fire at Mahesh Gaikwad, the Thane President of Shiv Sena's Shinde faction, inside the cabin of senior police inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar.

"The divide within regional parties has heightened tensions among their leaders, particularly over decision of candidacy. We are preparing to handle any situation, with due consideration towards deployment and requisitioning reinforcement from state and central paramilitary forces," a senior officer with the Maharashtra Police told mid-day. Former Additional Director General of Police PK Jain predicted heightened chaos as the Lok Sabha elections draw near, due to the rift between the Shiv Sena, BJP and the NCP, as well as the divide within the Shiv Sena itself.

"The recent incidents of violence in Maharashtra are not reflective of its culture. The act of an MLA firing inside a police station sets a dangerous precedent, and the police should handle the situation as they would with any other criminal. The second incident of firing appears to be a result of personal rivalry, which is regrettable," he said. He added that the upcoming elections pose a significant challenge for the police, who must remain politically neutral.

"Openly supporting any party can lead to complications. While it is acknowledged that the police will face political pressure, they must adhere to the law and maintain neutrality," said Jain. Retired IPS officer YC Pawar, who has formerly served as Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) in Mumbai, said that each case should be looked at separately.

"In the Dahisar murder, the victim was called to meet for a supposed compromise and then killed. Nobody can stop such a crime. But in the Hill Line police station firing, the police should not have left the two politicians alone in his cabin. It was a question of judgement," said Pawar. Sushma Andhare, a senior UBT faction leader, referred to the recent attack on journalist Nikhil Wagle in Pune, and alleged, "Wagle and (lawyer) Asim Sarode had complained about a possible threat to them and sought protection, despite which their vehicle was attacked."

She added that she herself was feeling unsafe while on her current Mukta Samvad Yatra across Maharashtra. "Even we had sought police protection but we have not received it," she claimed. "We are sleeping in tents every night. Who will guarantee our safety?"