NCP (SP) workers vandalise Hadapsar liquor den; opposition blames govt inaction for deaths

Pune: Opposition parties have blamed govt and police inaction for the death of at least 15 people due to consumption of spurious liquor in Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune. NCP (SP) workers on Friday vandalised an illicit liquor den in Hadapsar, while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena also joined the protest and conducted an agitation outside the Hadapsar police station.NCP (SP) workers led by MLA Rohit Pawar visited the illicit liquor den in Hadapsar, from where liquor was allegedly supplied to some deceased from Pune. The workers vandalised the den before meeting family members of the deceased.“Govt and the police are proving to be incapable of controlling illegal activities. The public will have to take the law into their own hands. Pune police have completely failed to maintain law and order in the city. They have given a free hand to criminal elements and are busy targeting common citizens instead,” Rohit Pawar said.Congress also criticised state govt over the tragedy. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said, “The deaths due to spurious liquor are nothing but administrative murder. The liquor was being sold in Pune with the blessings of police officers and state excise officials. People have lost their lives due to this unholy nexus.”Meanwhile, deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Sunetra Pawar said that police officers from both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad along with the state excise department have been told to unearth the entire illicit liquor nexus and network, and register cases under stringent sections against those responsible for the reported deaths.