Milk worth millions drained out by Shiv Sena activists

Satara (Maharashtra), July 23 (ANI): The right-wing Shiv Sena activists drained out thousands of litres of milk in Maharashtra's Satara city on Friday as a mark of protest against the State Government's decision to import processed milk powder in the region.

In a highly charged agitation, scores of Shiv Sena activists resorted to hooliganism and vandalism of sorts, as they disrupted local traffic by stopping milk tankers to empty their contents on the streets.

The locals said nearly fifty thousand litres of milk, worth millions, was drained out onto the streets.

Raising 'anti-government' slogans, the protestors alleged that Maharashtra Government's decision was hitting local dairy businesses, already reeling under the impact of the rising inflation.

"It is so shocking that 30,000 tonnes of milk powder are being imported by the Maharashtra Government, while milk is being procured at rupees five a litre. This move of the government has come as a big blow to the regional dairy and livestock owners. We oppose this injustice," said Shankar Godse, a Shiv Sena leader.

"The Shiv Sena, along with regional milk suppliers and cooperative federations, would boycott all dairy supplies to consumers if the State and Central Government did not take affirmative action by July 24," he added. (ANI)