Daijiworld Media Network - Thane
Thane, Dec 17: Tension prevailed in Ambernath late Tuesday night after unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at the office of a BJP candidate contesting the upcoming municipal council elections, injuring a security guard, police said.
The incident occurred around midnight at the public relations office of Pawan Walekar, BJP candidate for the Ambernath Municipal Council polls scheduled on December 20. The office is located in a densely populated area of Ambernath and the firing was captured on CCTV cameras installed outside the premises.
According to police, two unidentified persons arrived on a motorcycle and allegedly fired three to four rounds at the office. On hearing the gunshots, security guards rushed out, following which the attackers allegedly fired in their direction as well.
“A security guard deployed at the office sustained injuries during the firing and is currently undergoing treatment,” an official from Ambernath police station said.
In view of the incident and a public meeting scheduled to be addressed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Ambernath on Wednesday evening, security has been significantly stepped up in the area.
Police said teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the accused based on CCTV footage and other technical inputs. “A case has been registered against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the law. The investigation is underway and no one involved will be spared,” the official added.
Soon after the firing, several BJP workers gathered at the Ambernath police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits and strict action. Former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar alleged that despite informing the police about suspected individuals, there was a delay in action.
BJP workers later staged a sit-in protest outside the police station, expressing concern over the law-and-order situation ahead of the civic polls.
Police have assured that all leads and allegations are being verified and that those responsible will be brought to justice.