Activist Govind Pansare passes away in Mumbai

Social activist and communist leader Govind Pansare, who was fatally shot at earlier this week, succumbed to his injuries in Mumbai late last night.

His mortal remains will be taken from Mumbai to his hometown Kolhapur today.

Expressing his sympathies on Pansare's death, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said the Maharashtra government was committed to investigating the incident and apprehending the culprits.

"The attack that happened a few days ago was quite gruesome and the state government has instructed the police department of Maharashtra to identify and apprehend the culprits. I hope a breakthrough will soon be made in this case," Rao told ANI.

Pansare and his wife were severely injured after unknown assailants fired on the couple while they were out for their morning walk at Sagarmala area of Kolhapur city.

The attack on the couple had elicited strong condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum who demanded a special team to look into the matter.