Agencies, Barwani, MP, An opposition Bharatiya Janata Party block president was gunned down in Balwadi town on Sunday after he left for a morning walk, law enforcement authorities said. Manoj Thakre’s corpse was found in the vicinity of a farm.
The 48-year-old was habituated to perambulating alone and started out at 0515 hrs as per routine. Later, the bloodied body lay approximately 25 feet from a road on which Thakre’s muffler and woollen cap were seen. It is suspected that the politician was dragged prior to the homicide.
A head injury was observed and an examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory team would make the matter clear. Thakre – who was serving his third term as block chief – is survived by wife, a son and two daughters.
“I surmise that political malice constituted the motive behind the crime. The law and order situation has collapsed in the state and an atmosphere of angst prevails,” erstwhile state minister Antar Singh Arya – who earlier represented Sendhwa in the Assembly as a BJP member – said over phone.
He was in Bhopal when he got the tidings and headed for Balwadi. Thakre was considered close to Mr Arya.
BJP stages dharna
In the wake of an opposition Bharatiya Janata Party block president being murdered on Sunday in Balwadi, BJP leaders from across the district made a beeline for that town and staged a sit in on the Sendhwa-Balwadi road demanding arrest of the guilty.
“An inquiry committee has been constituted under the chairpersonship of the Additional Superintendent of Police for minutely probing the homicide,” said Superintendent of Police Yangchen Bhutia who reached the scene of the demonstration.
Subsequently, the corpse was conveyed to Varla for autopsy. Balwadi’s markets shut down and streets bore a deserted look.
Manoj Thakre died of a head injury inflicted while he was on a morning walk. “I surmise that political malice constituted the motive. The law and order situation has collapsed in the state and an atmosphere of angst prevails,” erstwhile state minister Antar Singh Arya – who earlier represented Sendhwa in the Assembly as a BJP member – said over phone.He was in Bhopal when he got the tidings and headed for Balwadi. Thakre was considered close to Mr Arya.
Bala Bachchan defends govt
Indore, MP: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bala Bachchan alleged on Sunday that the state’s law and order situation deteriorated during one-and-a-half decades of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule and the present dispensation is endeavouring to improve matters.
“The state police – including senior officers of various zones – are commencing a review; their feedback shall form the basis of a discussion with the Chief Minister and necessary steps taken,” the district in-charge politician averred here in response to press queries.
Replying to questions regarding the gunning down of a businessman in public here, opposition BJP municipality Chairman Prahlad Bandhwar’s murder in Mandsaur and saffron party leader Manoj Thakre’s killing this morning in the Minister’s native district Barwani, Mr Bachchan said that he is in constant touch with police officers in the context of all three cases.
“The accused in the Mandsaur incident has been placed under arrest. In the other two matters also, law enforcement authorities are close to breakthroughs,” he revealed.