Senior Communist Govind Pansare succumbs

Senior Communist leader and leading light of the anti-toll tax, who was shot Feb 16 in Kolhapur, succumbed to his injuries here shortly before midnight.

He was 82 and is survived by his wife Uma, who is undergoing treatment for the injuries she sustained in the attack, and 2 daughters.

Pansare was airlifted to Mumbai' Breach Candy Hospital this evening in a serious condition.

A state govt medical officer Tp Lahane said that he succumbed due to excessive internal injuries from the bullet wounds in the attacks near his home while returning from morning walk.

Maharashtara Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, senior cabnit ministers from both BJP and Shiv Sena, top Communist, Congress and NCP leaders rushed to the hospital on hearing about Pansare demise.

Condolences started pouring in from all over India following his demise.

Kolapur police have formed 10 special teams to nab the killers of Pansare, but so far there has been no breakthrough in the case.

Lahane announced that Pansares body would be airlifted to Kholapur in the morning at around 10.30 a.m for performing the last rites.