Civic poll feud escalates: Former corporator's husband attacked again in Juna Bazaar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A political rivalry stemming from the municipal corporation elections has once again turned violent, with former corporator's husband Rafat Yar Khan being subjected to a second murderous attack. On Thursday afternoon, he was assaulted by four to five individuals armed with iron rods and sticks in the Juna Bazaar area.

Khan had recently joined the Islam Party in Malegaon. Since the municipal corporation elections, he has been embroiled in disputes with certain sitting corporators from AIMIM. Earlier, there had been two incidents of physical clashes between the groups, following which he had been provided police protection.

On March 26, at around 4 pm, Khan went to the Juna Bazaar area. A short distance from the City Chowk Police Station, his two-wheeler reportedly slipped, after which the assailants, who were chasing, attacked him. He sustained serious head injuries and was left bleeding. He was immediately admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

Considering the possibility of political tension following the incident, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Pankaj Atulkar, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Sagar Deshmukh, and police inspector Nirmala Pardeshi rushed to the hospital and deployed heavy security. Khan reportedly received around 10 stitches to his head.

Background of political rivalry

On March 20, Khan was attacked with a sharp weapon at Sillekhana Chowk. A case in this regard was registered at Kranti Chowk Police Station on Tuesday night. Khan has alleged that Thursday’s attack was premeditated and linked to the ongoing dispute. The process of registering a case at City Chowk Police Station was underway late at night.