Media organisations, NGOs and social groups participated in huge processions taken out in Rajapur and Mumbai to protest against the daylight mowing down of journalist Shashikant Warishe in Ratnagiri earlier this week.
Warishe, 48, was knocked down and dragged with his bike by a SUV allegedly driven by a local realty agent, Pandharinath Amberkar, 42, on Monday.
While the scribe succumbed to his serious injuries on Tuesday, Amberkar was arrested and charged with murder following a massive hue and cry.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Vinayak Raut, who represents the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat, joined the silent procession this morning in which local journalists and media associations, youth and social organisations, besides teenagers and senior citizens participated.
They carried banners and placards demanding the most stringent punishment for the prime accused Amberkar, currently in police custody.
On Friday evening, Mumbai also witnessed a silent, black-badge procession at the Gandhi statue near Mantralaya, the protesters demanded the trial in a fast-track court, compensation of Rs. 50 Lakhs for Warishe's kin and the most stringent punishment for the accused.
All political parties have condemned the incident and Nationalist Congress Party's Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar today said he would raise the issue in the Budget Session of the Maharashtra Legislature later this month.
NCP President Sharad Pawar demanded a detailed investigation to reveal the mastermind and plot behind Warishe's killing.
Congress President Nana Patole, Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe and other leaders have demanded a thorough probe to reveal the real conspirators and ensure the most stringent punishment for all the accused.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut claimed that even he has received 'threats' warning "you will meet the same fate as Warishe", and demanded to unravel who is the 'mastermind' of the scribe's killing.
On the other hand, MP Vinayak Raut has pointed fingers at the family of Union MSME Minister Narayan Raut alleging their links with the prime accused.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured a full probe into the Warishe case and suitable action against the guilty.
Warishe had been running a campaign against the upcoming refinery and petrochemicals complex coming up in the region, while Amberkar was a supporter of the mega-project.
Besides several political parties, top journalists' and human rights organisations have condemned Warishe's killing as an assault on the freedom of the press.
Two drowned in Pune bridge collapse, PM Modi speaks to CM Fadnavis
At least two people were killed, 32 others injured, while a total of 41 people were rescued after they fell into an overflowing river when an old bridge they were crossing collapsed in Maharashtra's Pune district on Sunday.
Haifa port in Israel operating normally despite Iran attack
There has been no damage to Israel’s Haifa port in the Iranian ballistic missile attack on an oil refinery nearby and cargo operations are progressing unhindered, according to media reports.
No recommendation, no discrimination: HM Amit Shah hails UP’s inclusive recruitment drive
In a historic ceremony, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed appointment letters to 60,244 newly selected police personnel at the Defence Expo Ground in Sector 18, Vrindavan. Out of these 60,000 recruits, more than 12,000 comprised women.
Round-the-clock DNA profiling underway: FSL Gandhinagar Director explains complex process
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, has been operating around the clock to identify victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash through DNA profiling and matching.
Civil Aviation Ministry issues strict instructions to DGCA to enforce chopper safety
In the wake of a tragic helicopter crash in the Gaurikund area of Uttarakhand, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday issued strict instructions to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enforce all safety protocols related to chopper operations in hilly and sensitive areas like the Kedarnath valley.
‘Harming Indians will invite punishment’, HM Shah on Op Sindoor
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that through the anti-terror Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a strong message across the world that the bloodshed of Indians will invite punishment.
Dassault CEO trashes Pakistan's claims on downing Rafale jets
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has dismissed as "factually incorrect" Pakistan’s claims about having shot down three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor.
Tripura BJP stages protest over vandalism at Tagore's ancestral home in B'desh
Ruling BJP in Tripura on Saturday staged state-wide protests along the Bangladesh border, protesting the recent attack and vandalism of the ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the neighbouring country.