Cong flays BJP’s bid to politicise Palghar killings

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Condemning the Palghar incident where 3 persons were killed by a mob, the Congress, here on Monday, criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for attempting to politicise and communalise it and asked the Maharashtra Chief Minister to ensure an expeditious probe, trial and punishment of the guilty.

“There is no communal or Hindu-Muslim angle to the attack as is being sought to be projected by those, who see an opportunity in every such incident to inflame communal passion. We urge all such persons and groups, including political parties and a section of media, to desist from doing so,” said Randeep Surjewala.

“Tragically, the BJP and its echo system as also a section of the media are attempting to project the incident with communal overtones. These attempts to politicise are deeply shameful and must be rejected with the contempt they deserve,” Surjewala said.

All the arrested persons were adivasis from Vikramgarh Taluka in the Palghar district, he said.

The Congress, a partner in the Maharashtra ruling coalition, said FIR had been lodged and 110 people arrested. The Government had also ordered an investigation by DGP Atul Kulkarni, it added.

The party termed the killing in Gadchinchli village on the border of Dadar Nagar Haveli (110 km away from Palghar) on April 16 night as extremely unfortunate. “There is no place for such violence in our civilised society and the strictest possible action must be taken against the accused,” the Congress said.

Swami Kalpvriksha Giri, Swami Sushil Giri and their driver Neelesh Telgade were attacked and killed following rumors that they were kidnapping children to harvest organs, including kidneys.

When the cops rescued them from the crowd to the they safety of the police car, the mob attacked them again. Policemen were also been injured in the incident.

The three were declared dead on arrival by the hospital they were shifted to.

–IANS

miz/pcj