Disabled man faces social boycott in Igatpuri

A disabled fair price shop owner, who refused to allow villagers the use of his private water tank in Biturli village in Igatpuri tehsil, has been allegedly boycotted on orders of the local Jat Panchayat (a community court).

Police sub-inspector Ganesh Shelke of Ghoti police station said on Sunday that he had spoken with the man, Kashinath Agiwale.

“I told Agiwale to file a complaint and police would do its job. However, he said that he would discuss the issue with villagers again and then take a decision,” Mr Shelke said and added that the police was very alert about such disturbances. The state Cabinet has approved an Act banning such social boycotts and punishment could be up to Rs 1 lakh. However, the legislature is yet to give its nod to the Act.

Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti leader Krishna Chandgude said that they had organised a meeting in the village on Monday to sort out the issue.

Agiwale said that some people had told him to leave the village.

He also gave the names of some people, who, he said should be held responsible, in case anything happened to him.

According to Agiwale, the family had been boycotted and is not allowed to attend any community programmes, feasts, marriages and religious rites.

When the Mumbai-Agra Highway was being constructed, the surrounding area was excavated, the tank was created out of the ditch.