Visitors to Congress office to be screened

Undeterred by the death of a 26-year-old youth who consumed poison at the Janata Darbar last week, the state Congress will continue to hold the event twice every week, but under a tight security cover that will prevent any untoward incidents in future.

Undeterred by the death of a 26-year-old youth who consumed poison at the Janata Darbar last week, the state Congress will continue to hold the event twice every week, but under a tight security cover that will prevent any untoward incidents in future.

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Kailas Khatkale, a skilled worker from Chakan near Pune, attempted suicide on July 29 at the Minister of State for Labour, Padmakar Walvi’s Janata Darbar at Gandhi Bhavan, which is the Congress’ Nariman Point office.

Khatkale passed away on Monday at the government GT Hospital where he was undergoing treatment, police said.

Following the death, the Congress will ensure that every visitor is screened before meeting the ministers.

Extra police force will be deputed at Gandhi Bhavan where Public Heath Minister Suresh Shetty and Minister of State for Public Works Abdul Sattar will meet aggrieved citizens on Tuesday.

“Only one person or a small delegation will be allowed to meet the ministers,” said a senior Congress functionary requesting anonymity. “We may also install a metal detector, which we didn’t have so far.”

State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre, who initiated the idea of holding a Darbar after a gap of four years, said Khatkale’s death was unfortunate.

“We did what we could for him. His case was in the court and hence the minister told him to wait for the court’s decision.” “We started the darbar for solving people’s problems and will continue to do so in the future.” Thakre announced monetary help of Rs 50,000 for the victim’s family.