Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar visited the family of deceased sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Massajog village in the Kej taluka of Beed district on Saturday.

Pawar was accompanied by MP Bajrang Sonawane, former minister Rajesh Tope, and MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar. After meeting the family, Pawar announced that the NCP would take full responsibility for funding the education of Deshmukh’s daughter. He also emphasised the need for quick and strong action against the mastermind behind the incident.

“The murder of Deshmukh has shocked the common people. This case needs to be thoroughly investigated. A sarpanch who worked for 15 years was killed, which is extremely serious. The CM has given assurances and financial aid, but that cannot ease the family’s grief. There is an atmosphere of fear, and we must all face it,” Pawar said.

Pawar and NCP (SP) leaders also met the kin of Somnath Suryawanshi in Parbhani who allegedly died in judicial custody after he was arrested in connection with violence over the vandalisation of a replica of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also met the family of Deshmukh in Massajog in Beed and assured them the culprits would not be spared.

Interacting with the family, Pawar said that the murderers or the mastermind behind the crime will not be let off. He assured the family not to fear and promised to provide police protection if needed. Additionally, he stated that he is willing to take responsibility for the education of Deshmukh’s children. Later, Ajit Pawar also visited Parbhani.