The DNA
September 8,
2009
It is a conspiracy:
Jayant Patil
Surendra Gangan
Home minister Jayant Patil has termed the Miraj clash as conspiracy
hatched by 'some people'. Declining to elaborate more on the
allegation, Patil has appealed to political parties to refrain from
visiting the spots and help maintaining the law and order situation.
Smelling a political setback in his hometown, Sangli, Patil has tried
to hit back at the opposition calling it a conspiracy. "Anti-social
elements are behind the clash between two groups in Miraj and
Ichalkaranji. We will disclose all the details at an appropriate time
as the priority today is to restore peace in Miraj and its surrounding
areas. The district administration has refrained the political leaders
from entering the area where clash has taken place and strict action
will be taken against them for not following the orders," he said.
An adequate number of security personnel, including five companies of
Rapid Action Force, has been deployed in Miraj and Ichalkaranji. "I
have personally talked to the people from both the sides and appealed
to them to maintain peace. Though tension prevails in some parts, the
situation is under control."
Patil said that the order banning political leaders from entering the
area is a decision taken by the local administration. "We want the
leaders from all parties to follow it. A couple of leaders from the
ruling parties visited Sangli, but only in a bid to establish peace,"
he said.
Sangli happens to be the home district of three political heavyweights
from the ruling parties. NCP leaders RR Patil and Jayant Patil and
Congress leader Patangrao Kadam hail from Sangli.
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