BeyondHeadlines Staff Reporter
Pune (Maharashtra): Congress party youth icon Rahul Gandhi yesterday visited Maval where three farmers were killed in police firing on August 9. Two hours after he left, the families of victims described the visit as a “show of sympathy” while the agitating farmers said he has rubbed salt on their wounds by not giving them a hearing.
Rahul arrived in Maval around 10 a.m. and went straight to the house of Shyamrao Tupe of Sadavli.
Courtesy: The Hindu/PTI
When he was told that the family was on the banks of Pavana for the 10th day ceremony, Rahul rushed there and sat next to Tupe’s mother. Calling it unfortunate and “wrong,” Rahul said he will seek complete information and inquire as to what led to the incident.
“The Congress leader said whatever happened should not have happened. The firing incident was wrong… He did not make any promise, but assured us that he will find out the reasons behind the police firing,” said Anil, Shyamrao’s brother.
Dnyaneshwar Dalvi, one of the farmers heading the agitation, said, “The farmers presented a memorandum to Rahul urging him to cancel the pipeline project, declare those killed in police firing as martyrs, file murder cases against the police, and withdraw cases against the farmers. “The Congress leader told us, ‘I will look into it, there will be an inquiry; I am with you’,” said Dalvi, adding that Rahul did not make any promise.
At Shivne village, the family of Moreshwar Sathe (who farmers alleged was a victim of police “encounter”) said Rahul offered them no balm. “He did not ask me a single question. I wanted to ask him why has no action been taken against Sandeep Karnik (rural SP),” said Lalita, (17) Sathe’s daughter. As soon as he entered the house, Rahul said “namaskar” and stood at the door. “We told him the police behaved cruelly and how the pipeline project will affect Maval, but he just stood and said nothing. While leaving, he said, ‘I will look into it, I will do something’.”
The story was no different in Yelse. Kantabai Thakar of the village was killed in police firing. Her son, Nitin (25) said, “I explained to him how my mother had come to call me home when the police fired at her. Rahul told me that whatever happened on that day was wrong.
The injured at Talegaon hospital said they were disappointed that Rahul did not come to see them. “I wanted to ask him why no compensation has been given to me so far…I have lost hearing in one ear,” said Maruti Khirid.
