Sangli, Maharashtra:
As more details are emerging on Additional Collector Yashwant Sonawane's burning to death by the oil mafia, another government official has allegedly been assaulted but by the sand mafia.
Revenue official Srinivas Patil says he was beaten by goons belonging to the sand mafia on the 25th of January when he stopped a tractor carrying sand at Shergaon village in Tasgaon, which is incidentally Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil's constituency.
Four people have been arrested in the case.
''We saw sand mafia goons leaving with a tractor full of sand. When I tried to stop them, they tried to kill me. I immediately called my bosses and reported the incident. They contacted the police who arrived at the scene. By then, the goons were nowhere to be seen," said Srinivas Patil, Revenue Department Official.
"I have taken note of the attack and have asked the concerned police to probe the matter," said Shyam Vardhane, District Magistrate.
Even though the attack took place in Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil's constituency, all he is prepared to say on the case is that the police have taken action.
Patil's tame response is worrisome, at a time, when Sonawane's death has sparked statewide protests among government workers.