Shinde says he asked police chief for fair probe on day one of Purnekar murder

A month has passed since the murder of Pradeep Purnekar, the Manpada division chief of the Thackeray faction in Thane, and the main accused have still not been arrested. The Thackeray faction has therefore not let the issue rest. It held a vigorous agitation in Thane again today, heating up the mood in the city. Faction leader Aaditya Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut are getting updates from police officers on how far the investigation has progressed.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke on the matter in the meantime. Speaking to the media, he said the police are investigating the case in depth. According to him, some outsiders are coming to Thane and politicising the case, which he called unfortunate.

Shinde said that on the very first day after Purnekar's murder he phoned the Police Commissioner and took the incident seriously. He said he told the commissioner that the investigation must be impartial and that no one should be shielded. According to Shinde, the accused in the case have been caught very quickly and weapons have been seized from them. The police investigation is continuing. He said no one should pressure the police or harass the public, and the police should do their work without fear.

Shinde said the public should not be put to needless trouble either, and that this should be kept in mind. He said repeated agitations are inconveniencing many people, and that people from outside Thane are doing this. He said that the night before last there was arson and a highway was blocked. In Naupada, stones were thrown at police, policemen were injured and soda bottles were hurled. Shinde said some people want to play politics over the Purnekar family's tragedy, which is unfortunate.

On law and order, Shinde said it is our job to maintain it at all costs. He said plainly that no one should be troubled anywhere and citizens should not be inconvenienced. According to him, the Shiv Sena will ensure that law and order is not disrupted and citizens do not suffer.

Meanwhile, Shinde faction leader and former mayor Meenakshi Shinde has resigned from her post. Shinde said Meenakshi Shinde has sent him her resignation as convener of the women's wing. He said she felt that her name was being repeatedly linked to the incident and that this was causing the party distress. Shinde said Purnekar's murder is unfortunate and sad, but that other political parties are making politics over it, which is even more unfortunate.