Winter session concludes on a warm note for govt

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday asserted that the state's Gadchiroli district will be Naxal-free in the next three years and Gadchiroli town will be the 'steel city' of India.

- Prajakta Pol

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar visited the family of deceased sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Massajog village in the Kej taluka of Beed district on Saturday.

Pawar was accompanied by MP Bajrang Sonawane, former minister Rajesh Tope, and MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar.

After meeting the family, Pawar announced that the NCP would take full responsibility for funding the education of Deshmukh's daughter.

He also emphasised the need for quick and strong action against the mastermind behind the incident.

"The murder of Deshmukh has shocked the common people. This case needs to be thoroughly investigated. A sarpanch who worked for 15 years was killed, which is extremely serious. The CM has given assurances and financial aid, but that cannot ease the family's grief. There is an atmosphere of fear, and we must all face it," Pawar said.