Highlights
- Samant was attacked while he was passing by a location where Aaditya Thackeray held a public meeting
- The leader said that he would "not get frightened" by such incidents
- CM Eknath Shinde said that strict action would be taken against them who try to disrupt peace
Uday Samant's vehicle was attacked by some people in Pune's Katraj Chowk on Tuesday. The MLA from Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde faction said that the police will investigate if the attackers were following him or the chief minister.
Samant's vehicle was attacked by some people while he was passing by a location where Aaditya Thackeray held a public meeting, earlier.
Condemning the incident, Samant said that this is not how politics is done in Maharashtra.
"It's a condemnable incident. Politics in Maharashtra doesn't happen like this. They (attackers) had baseball sticks and stones. CM's convoy was going ahead of me. Police will investigate whether they were following me or CM (Eknath Shinde)," he said.
The leader said that he would "not get frightened" by such incidents.
"I will not get frightened by such incidents. I have spoken to CM Eknath Shinde and told him about the incident. Police will investigate the whole matter," said Samant.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called it an "act of cowardice" and said that strict action would be taken against those who try to disrupt peace and law and order.
"It is an act of cowardice. There is no bravery in pelting stones and fleeing. It is our responsibility to maintain law and order. If somebody tries to disrupt law and order, strict action would be taken against them. Everyone should maintain peace, but still, if someone disrupts peace, the police will take its own action," Shinde said.
Five held for attack on Samant's car
Meanwhile, the police have arrested Shiv Sena's Pune city unit president and four others in connection with the alleged attack on Uday Samant's car, an official said on Wednesday.
A video of a mob trying to surround Samant's vehicle and shouting slogans had circulated on social media.
A case had been registered against over 15 persons under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including an attempt to murder, at the Bharti Vidyapeeth police station late Tuesday night.
"Shiv Sena's city unit president Sanjay More is among the five persons arrested in connection with the attack on Samant's car," assistant commissioner of police (Swargate division), Sushama Chavan, said.
"We have registered an offence against more than 15 people under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder ), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and sections related to rioting," she added.
Samant's close aide had said that a windowpane of the car, in which the former minister was travelling, was damaged in the incident.
(With inputs from agencies)
Also Read | 'If Raut is innocent, he should not be afraid': CM Shinde on ED action
