Maharashtra: Congress neta Hidayat Patel dies of stab injuries; 7k mourners attend funeral in Akola

AKOLA: Thousands of people joined the funeral procession of senior Congress leader and party's state vice-president Hidayat Patel, who succumbed to stab injuries on Wednesday in Akot taluka of Akola. With an estimated crowd of 7,500 reaching the burial ground, police were on high alert to ensure the last rites were completed peacefully.Across the area, security was increased with senior officials keeping track of the situation every minute. Talking to TOI, Archit Chandak, SP of Akola, said extensive security arrangements were made in and around the burial ground. Patel was stabbed on Tuesday and he succumbed to injuries 24 hours later, creating a tense environment in Akola, especially with elections scheduled for January 15.Chandak said, "An SP-rank officer, two deputy SPs, around 10 senior police officers, along with a large contingent of police personnel, were deployed. Also, three units of state reserve police force, along with a Quick Response Team and riot control police, were stationed to maintain law and order." Traffic diversions were put in place, and the gathering was monitored closely, officials said.Police officials said crowd-management teams were positioned at key entry points around the burial ground, with additional personnel regulating movement as groups arrived. The measures, police said, were aimed at preventing bottlenecks and keeping emergency access routes clear. The situation remained peaceful, and the last rites were completed without any incident, police said.The turnout, cutting across political affiliations, was seen as a reflection of the influence Patel held in Akola district, with party workers, supporters and residents lining up on the street to pay respects. With elections under way and the local law-and-order situation described as sensitive, the district police brass was on their toes.