Authorities launched a massive crackdown on the oil adulteration mafia across Maharashtra on Thursday, raiding 200 places and arresting nearly 180 people, after an official was burnt alive by the oil mafia.
Over 80,000 gazetted officers in Maharashtra also ceased work for the day to protest the killing of Malegaon Additional District Collector Yashwant Sonawane by suspected members of the oil mafia at Manmad in Nashik district, nearly 260 kms from Mumbai, on Tuesday.
"So far, more than 180 persons have been arrested during the raids at nearly 200 oil adulteration locations in the state," Additional Director General (Law & Order) K P Raghuvanshi said in Mumbai.
Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy unveiled steps, including re-introduction of a chemical marker in kerosene in six months, to eliminate the scope for adulteration of diesel using this subsidised fuel.
Condemning as 'heinous' the killing of Sonawane, Reddy urged the Maharashtra government to take stringent steps to ensure that all those involved in the murder are punished in a proper way.
"We express complete solidarity with the bereaved family," he said.
"Raids (against the mafia) have started since Wednesday night and 163 people have been arrested. District police have been given instructions to find out details from the food and drug department. We will crack down on oil, milk and sand mafia," Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said.
Ravindra Dhongade, president of the Maharashtra Gazetted Officers Mahasangh, said "We have not announced the protest as a strike but we are shunning work to register our protest against this gruesome act which has shaken the government employees."
The Shiv Sena had also called for a bandh in Manmad in Nashik district to protest Sonawane's killing.
