Anti-govt slogans raised outside Mah CM's cabin

Mumbai, Nov 8 (UNI) Activists of 'Phule Shahu Ambedkari Mahila Chalval' today staged an impromptu demonstration outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister's office in Mantralaya to protest against the massacre of a Dalit family in Vidarbha region recently.

About 25-30 women entered Mantralaya at around 1430 hrs and went straight upto sixth floor where a cabinet meeting was in progress in the Chief Minister's office.

When the security personnel posted outside the Chief Minister's chamber prevented the women from entering the office as a cabinet meeting was going on, the women, who told the security that they wanted to give a memorandum to the Chief Minister in connection with the Khairlanji massacre, shouted anti-government, anti-CM slogans.They also vented their anger against Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil.

The sloganeering continued for about 15-20 minutes. ACS (Home) A P Sinha, who came out of the meeting, ordered to police to clear the sixth floor of the demonstrators as well as the mediapersons gathered.

The women were led by Leena Gedam,Varsha Kale and comprised activists like Pradyna Lokhande, Ashalata Kamble, Asmita Abhyankar and Sheetal Juvatkar among others. Ms Gedam accused the police of physically assaulting her. All the women were taken away to Marine Drive police station.

UNI MR ADG VD HT1806