NCP to pay price for attack on VHP

The NCP could be the first political party to pay compensation under the government’s new law that holds political parties and any other organisations responsible for damage to public and private properties, reports Ketaki Ghoge.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) could be the first political party to pay compensation under the government’s new law that holds political parties and any other organisations responsible for damage to public and private properties.

HT Image

On Saturday, a group of NCP workers ransacked local VHP office in protest of alleged involvement of some members of Hindu outfits in Malegaon bomb blast.

The incident has left the Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader RR Patil red faced. Last week, he pushed for an ordinance to make any kind of outfits pay for damages during agitations.

Nashik collector S Chokalingam told HT that he would initiate action against the accused soon.

“As per the new ordinance, the damage amount will be collected from the

accused.”

The Home department had pushed for the ordinance in the wake of violence by workers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) during their protest against north Indian candidates appearing for raillway recruitment examination a week ago.

The ordinance gives powers to district collectors to initiate proceedings against the accused who destroy public and private properties during agitations.

The collector also has powers to decide the compensation and the proportion of the damages to be paid by the accused.

State NCP president Arun Gujarathi said: “The details of the incident are still not clear but the law is same for all political parties”. However, he indicated that the NCP workers will have to pay if they were found guilty and not the party.

The collector of Nashik will decide whether the party will pay or the accused.