Unidentified man tries to enter Maharashtra Minister's office

Mumbai, Nov 7 (UNI) An unidentified person, posing as an electrician, allegedly tried to enter the office of Maharashtra Minister of State for Transport and Mines Dharmarao Atram at Mantralaya, early today.

This morning at 0730 hrs, the unidentified person tried to enter Mr Atram's office situated on the sixth floor of the building, saying that he was an electrician and had come to repair the call bell at the Minister's ante-chamber.

However, an alert sweeper, questioned him as to how could he enter the building at such early hours, when only the cleaning staff was allowed and told the unknown person to return at 0930 hrs, when the office starts. The sweeper locked the office and went to call the supervisor. By the time she returned, the man had disappeared, sources close to the Minister said.

According to sources, the intrusion has been taken seriously by the Mantralaya security officials as the Minister had received a threat on his mobile phone on Monday noon.

The unidentified caller, allegedly a Naxalite, threatened that the Minister would be blown up in a bomb explosion when he visits his home district of Gadchiroli in Vidarbha region.

Sources said the caller charged the Minister of amassing wealth to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore and owning residential properties in several cities across the state, saying the money was meant for development of tribal regions.

The Minister countered that the allegation was not true and informed the Mantralaya security officials in writing about the threat he had received. Immediately, extra police bandh provided at his official residence and office.

The police are investigating as to how could an unidentified person gain an entry in the building and reach the Minister's office who had received a threat to life less than 48 hours ago, sources added.

UNI