Three suicide scares rock Mantralaya - the Maharashtra government headquarters- in a single day

Mumbai: Accusing officials of failing to redress their grievances, three desperate persons, including a farmer, on Tuesday threatened to commit suicide at Mantralaya, the Maharashtra government headquarters, sending security personnel in a tizzy.

The three - identified as Dinesh Padaya from Mumbai, Dilip More from Aurangabad and farmer Hiralal Dhakane from Jalgaon - wanted to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other officials to get their work done.

While Padaya had approached the Chief Minister`s Office for some work connected to the Social Justice Department, More and Dhakane wanted certain financial assistance from the chief minister.

When Padaya`s plea was rejected by the department officials, he approached the CMO for redressal and when he was not allowed to meet Fadnavis, he threatened to consume poison to kill himself right there.

Shocked by the threat, police noted down his complaint and later escorted him to the department officials concerned to get his work done.

Similarly, unable to meet the CM or the officials concerned, More threatened to jump down from the sixth floor where the CMO is located, but was caught on time by the police security and bundled off to the station house.

Dhakane, also not permitted to meet Fadnavis, issued a threat to jump off the building, but was escorted away before he carried out his threats.

An official said that Mantralaya is a hub of activity where thousands of people from all over Maharashtra troop down daily with hopes to get their works done quickly.

This could range from financial help, medical assistance, jobs, admissions for children, concessions of various types, certificates or testimonials from officials and ministers.

While on a normal day, the rush is huge, on days when the state cabinet meets, the crowds are much heavier, posing a tough challenge for security.

The official said in view of the huge rush and limited visiting hours for general public, it is not always possible to verify their antecedents or intentions in depth despite the tight security arrangements.



qn/vd