Tribal group, SDO row on cop presence during ration cards distribution

A delegation of an organisation fighting for tribal rights and a sub-divisional officer in Maharashtra's Palghar district had an argument after the former objected to the presence of armed policemen during the discussion. A video of the incident, which took place Saturday at the Talasari tehsil office between a delegation led by Shramajivi Sanghatana chief Vivek Pandit and Dahanu Sub Divisional Officer Saurabh Katiar, was widely circulated on social media platforms.

Finally, Sub Divisional Police Officer Mandar Dharmadhikari had to intervene, following which the discussion between the delegation and the SDO took place over the distribution of ration cards to tribals, officials said. A Shrajivi Sanghatana functionary said 350 out of the 2,100 pending ration cards were distributed following the discussion while the rest would be given out soon.