NCP workers want crabs to be arrested on charges of murder, here’s why

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers reached Naupada Police Station demanded police to arrest crabs after registering an FIR under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against them. The demand by party workers has left cops baffled. The development comes after Maharashtra Minister Tanaji Sawant claimed that the crustaceans were responsible for Tiware dam breach in coastal Maharashtra.

Water resources minister Tanaji Sawant on Thursday claimed that the breach in the Tiware dam in Ratnagiri district, which claimed 18 lives, was caused by crabs which had hollowed out its wall.

Kolhapur: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) youth workers stage protest against Maharashtra Government over Water Conservation Minister Tanaji Sawant's statement that #Tiware dam in Ratnagiri was breached as 'large number of crabs gathered around it causing leakage.' #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/pkJDniAhNn

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2019

Protesting against his statement, NCP workers led by party general secretary Jitendra Awhad walked into the Naupada police station with crabs in hand, and urged the cops to `arrest' them.

"23 people were washed away, some are still missing, but the minister claims that crabs had weakened the dam," Awhad said and slammed the BJP-led state government for trying to protect the contractor who was responsible for the tragedy.

Similarly, the NCP's youth wing presented a memorandum to Shahupuri police station, demanding registration of a 'case' against crabs.

"If the minister thinks crabs caused the breach, then a case should be registered against the crabs under section 302 of IPC for murder," NCP state youth wing chief Mehboob Sheikh said.

The Tiware dam near Chiplun, 250 km from Mumbai, breached Tuesday night following torrential rain.