Mumbai
oi-Gaurav Sharma
A late-night shooting in Thane has raised questions over whether a local political dispute may have turned deadly. Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction local leader, was shot dead by two unidentified attackers on Tuesday night.
The incident took place at around 9 pm in the Manpada area. Preliminary information suggests that the attackers first confronted and assaulted Purnekar before firing two rounds at him.
Thane Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction leader Pradeep Purnekar was fatally shot by two unidentified attackers on Tuesday night in Manpada, with police investigating a potential political motive linked to a dispute over a denied protest.
Purnekar was seriously injured in the attack and was immediately taken to Infinity Hospital near R Mall. Despite emergency treatment he died during treatment.
With the identity of the shooters and the motive still unknown. Police are examining multiple possibilities. A political rivalry angle is among the lines being investigated. Particularly in view of Purnekar’s involvement in a proposed protest.
Purnekar had reportedly planned a demonstration concerning the residents of Azad Nagar and Ganesh Nagar. The protest was said to have been denied permission and following which he raised the issue via a social media post. investigators are now checking whether the dispute surrounding the proposed protest had any connection to the fatal attack.
There is no official confirmation so far that political rivalry was the reason behind the killing.
Police have launched a search for the two unidentified attackers. CCTV cameras installed around Purnekar’s office, nearby roads and possible escape routes are being examined to trace their movements. Nakabandi has also been carried out at major exit points from Thane.
A forensic team has inspected the crime scene and gathered evidence as investigators piece together the sequence of events.
The killing has added a serious law-and-order concern in the area. The central questions are: Who targeted Purnekar, and was the attack linked to a political dispute? Police are yet to establish the answers.
