Govind Pansare passes away after battling for 5 days; last rites at Kolhapur today

Mumbai, Feb 21: Veteran CPI leader Govind Pansare, who was shot at earlier this week, died at a hospital on Friday night after he was airlifted for treatment to the city this evening from Kolhapur.

Pansare, 82, and his wife were shot at by some unknown assailants in front of their house on February 16.

After undergoing surgery at a hospital in Kolhapur immediately after the shooting, Pansare was flown to Mumbai on Friday in an air ambulance arranged for by the

government. He was admitted to the Breach Candy hospital, where he succumbed during treatment, an official said.

CPI reacted strongly to its veteran leader's death, with party leader A Abhyankar saying the government should spare no efforts to nab Pansare's killers.

Social activist Baba Adhav said Pansare's killing comes after anti-superstition activist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was killed in Pune one-and-a-half-years back.

On Monday, Pansare, who was at the forefront of a campaign against road toll tax, and his wife Uma were shot at and critically wounded by unknown assailants.

The CPI leader had received three gunshot injuries to his neck, armpit and on the right leg near the knee.

20 teams have been formed by the Maharashtra police to investigate the Pansare murder.

The communist leader's family and aides have claimed that he was also being threatened by right wing activists for a number of days.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination was today conducted on the body of veteran communist leader, Pansare.

The mortal remains of Pansare will be taken to Kolhapur around 10.30 AM for last rites on Saturday.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)