Pune: Police firing issue rocks state Assembly

Mumbai: Three protesters on Wednesday killed in police firing in Maval near Pune, raising the question if the Maharashtra Police have use excessive force in putting down the farmers protest.

The Maharashtra government has ordered an enquiry and six policemen have been suspended after the footage of the police action was aired.

Visuals clearly exposed that the police didn't follow protocol and shoot in the air or below the waist, but aimed straight at people's heads instead, killing three.

But the police have defended their action saying they acted with utmost restraint.

"Around 10 people were hit by bullets and three are dead. Out of 10, six have been hit below waist. Cannot give any justification for other as individual officers were firing, they will give their justification," said Pune rural SP Sandeep Karnik.

But the police's defence did not cut much ice and Opposition BJP and Shiv Sena on Thursday targetted the ruling the NCP in the Maharashtra Assembly and demanded immediate action against the responsible policemen.

"We are demanding resignation of Home Ministher, Dy Chief Minister and action on policeman," said BJP MLA Devendra Fadnavis.

Maharashtra Home Minister RR patil has announced a judicial inquiry into the whole incident and said if a policeman is found to have shot and killed an unarmed protestor he will be charged with murder.

However Patil defended the police saying the first shot was fired from a private vehicle, while NCP's Ajit Pawar has said the agitation is politically motivated.

"The Opposition is creating political fight and targeting Ajit Pawar. The Shiv Sena is using mob, making them violent and using the agitation. Out of bodies of common man trying to play politics," said NCP MLA Jitendra Avhad.

This is the third instance of protestors being killed in police firing in Maharashtra over the last four months. Just two weeks back two protestors were killed in Jalna, while one person was killed in Jaitapur in April this year. So, the Maharashtra government needs to answer if the state is turning trigger happy.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)