Centre grants Y-plus CRPF cover to 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs

Those who were provided the security cover include Ramesh Bornare, Mangesh Kudalkar, Sanjay Shirsat, Latabai Sonawane, Prakas Surve and 10 others

Amid protests and vandalism by Shiv Sena against rebel MLAs backed by Eknath Shinde, the Centre has rushed armed personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to houses and offices of 15 MLAs and ministers. The Shiv Sena has condemned the move saying that it was showing mistrust of the Maharashtra Police.

The MLAs who have been extended CRFP security are Ramesh Bornare, Mangesh Kudalkar, Sanjay Shirsat, Latabai Sonawane, Prakash Surve, Sada Saranavnkar, Yogesh Dada Kadam, Pratap Sarnaik, Yamini Jadhav, Pradeep Jaiswal, Sanjay Rathod, Dadaji Bhuse, Dilip Lande, Balaji Kalyanar and Sandipan Bhumare.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the CRPF Western Sector headquarters in Navi Mumbai to enhance security arrangements against some of the rebels and accordingly armed guards in shifts will ensure protection to their houses and families.

The development comes a day after 16 MLAs camping in Guwahati alleged that the security of their family has been withdrawn, a charge vehemently denied by state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil.

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On Sunday, waving saffron flags, Shiv Sainiks staged a show of strength at the Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar. Several protests, marches and bike rallies were reported in the Mumbai-MMR, the bastion of the Shiv Sena. Protests were reported from Pune and Nashik.

Shinde has described the incidents of violence as “political vendetta”.

Pune city unit president Gajanan Tharkude, staged ‘jode-maro' (footwear smashing) protests at photos of Shinde, at two places - outside BalGandharva Auditorium and in Kothrud - and engaged in sloganeering.

Effigies of Shinde were bashed and torched in some places.

Support rallies were also held in favour of rebels like Abdul Sattar in Sillod and Prakash Abitkar in Kolhapur.