Veteran Communist leader Govind Pansare, wife shot at

Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Feb 16: Veteran Communist leader and leading light of the anti-toll tax movement in Maharashtra, Govind P. Pansare and his wife were shot at near their home in Sagarmala here Monday when they were out for a morning walk, police said. According to police, two unidentified assailants on a motorbike accosted the couple around 8 a.m. and fired at least four rounds from close range before speeding off. The 82-year old lawyer and writer, and his wife Uma were rushed by passers-by to Astor Aadhar Hospital where they are undergoing surgery for bullet injuries. Pansare's condition has been described as "critical but stable", while Uma is serious and stable, according to doctors. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the attack on Pansare and his wife as "shocking and condemnable" and said all steps are being taken to nab the culprits.