Thane, Sep 30: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Pradeep Purnekar, was shot dead in Maharashtra’s Thane on Tuesday night, with police intensifying their investigation into the killing on Wednesday.

One suspect has been formally arrested, while another is being questioned in connection with the case.

The attack took place at around 9 p.m. in the Manpada-Manorama Nagar area, near Purnekar’s office and within the jurisdiction of the Kapurbawdi police station.

According to police, unidentified assailants opened fire at Purnekar, hitting him twice. He was rushed to a hospital on Ghodbunder Road, where he died while undergoing treatment.

CCTV footage examined by investigators showed that one of the two detained suspects was present at the scene during the firing and was allegedly involved in the conspiracy, while the other reportedly provided a vehicle to the two accused who carried out the shooting.

One of the suspects has been formally arrested, while the other is being questioned by police. Investigators are also looking for other people who may have been involved in the attack and are examining CCTV footage from the area and surrounding roads to establish the sequence of events and trace the suspects’ movements.

Pradeep Purnekar’s body was sent to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital on Wednesday morning for a post-mortem examination, DCP Prashant Kadam said. “After the post-mortem, a detailed report will be available,” he said.

Reacting to the killing, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey raised concerns over the law-and-order situation in Maharashtra.

“What has happened to Maharashtra? There are so many criminals, mafias, and murderers roaming freely that I cannot even tell you. Whether it is Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Mumbai, and now Thane, late last night, a senior leader of our party, Shiv Sena (UBT), was shot dead…” Dubey told MEDIA.

Reports said the attackers were wearing helmets and masks. Police are examining footage from multiple cameras and other evidence to identify all those involved and determine how the accused fled the scene.

The killing has also raised questions about a possible connection with a proposed agitation against a local builder.

Purnekar had reportedly announced plans to stage a protest over alleged irregularities by a local builder and had sought permission from the Kapurbawdi police for the demonstration. However, police have not confirmed any link between the proposed protest or the builder dispute and the killing.

Investigators are examining multiple possible motives, including political rivalry and personal enmity. The exact reason behind the attack remains under investigation.

Mumbai, Sep 29: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday reacted to the joint protest march announced by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, stating that while protesting is a democratic right, political leaders must examine the authenticity of their claims.

The Thackeray brothers announced a mega protest march in Mumbai on October 4 to highlight alleged bias and irregularities in the Election Commission of India (ECI) under CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing reporters after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis said, “Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy. I will not criticise who is protesting. However, one must understand how serious the issue is and verify the reality behind the examples cited before taking to the streets. A detailed response will be given after their protest.”

The march will begin at 10 a.m. on October 4 from the Richardson & Cruddas company premises in Byculla and proceed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, culminating in a joint public rally around 11:30 a.m.

Raj Thackeray took a direct jab at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after it dismissed the allegations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar as fabricated.

He asked, “If our protest is directed against the Election Commission, why is the BJP feeling the sting? There is a Marathi proverb, Khai tyala khavkhave (a guilty conscience needs no accuser).”

He reiterated that the demonstration transcends party politics and invited all political parties, including ruling coalition members dissatisfied with the ECI’s recent decisions, to join.

In the same briefing, CM Fadnavis addressed two other updates. Following a rally by the Matang community demanding sub-categorisation in reservations, he said a panel chaired by the Chief Secretary will examine their demands, emphasising that benefits must reach deprived sections without creating caste divisions.

He also announced that returning Agniveers will be absorbed into state security forces and police services without mandatory entrance exams or additional basic training. Age relaxations of up to four years and supernumerary posts will be provided to ensure full integration into public service.

Mumbai, Sep 29: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that to make the country’s youth employable, it is essential to integrate skill development, training and employment alongside education.

He stressed that merely acquiring a degree is not enough, and with rapidly changing technologies such as AI, semiconductors and quantum computing, continuous upskilling is the need of the hour.

He added that there is huge demand for human resources in over 28 countries worldwide, and the government is actively working to provide international employment opportunities to Maharashtra’s youth.

He was speaking at the online inauguration of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Maharojgar Melava across all districts of the Konkan and Nashik divisions. The event was organised by the Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University in Mumbai.

During the event, the Chief Minister personally presented appointment letters to Sahida Parmanik and Kanti Shambhu Chavan, both hired by Crewa Capital Services Pvt. Ltd.

CM Fadnavis said the job fair was organised under the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

He said the fair would open up maximum employment and self-employment opportunities for youth in the Konkan and Nashik divisions.

He said education, training and employment form the critical triad required to fulfil PM Modi’s vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat).

He emphasised that human resource development through education, training and employment is the foundation for achieving a Developed India by 2047.

“To realise our dream of a poverty-free, unemployment-free and disease-free India, we must build our ecosystem on this three-pronged strategy. Today, 65 percent of the country’s population is an active youth workforce. While entrepreneurs need skilled human resources, young people need jobs. These job fairs serve as a robust bridge connecting both sides,” he said.

Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha stated that under the Chief Minister’s guidance, initiatives are no longer limited to ITI students. At least three mini-job fairs are being organised in every taluka for youth from all educational backgrounds.

He said the department provided seven days of free pre-employment training, benefiting 61,000 young men and women. With over 1,00,000 registrations for the fair, the department aims to connect at least 70 per cent of participants with job or self-employment opportunities.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said his department is working with the Skill Development Department to ensure employment avenues match the number of graduating students. Beyond job fairs, the initiative focuses on preparing candidates for interviews through soft skills, communication, personality development and management training.

Minister Jaykumar Rawal highlighted Maharashtra’s position as a top investment destination in Asia and the country’s “Startup Capital.”

He said the government is prepared to provide foreign language and skill training to youth seeking employment abroad. Additionally, under the Mobility project, Rs 2,500 crore is being invested in agriculture and marketing sectors to connect farmers’ children with industry and employment.

Across 12 districts in the Konkan and Nashik divisions, over 1,500 employers and 1,00,000 job aspirants registered for the Maharojgar Kumbh. Employers posted requisitions for more than 25,000 vacancies. Candidate-employer matching was coordinated with local educational institutions, government ITIs, district administrations, MIDC, universities and industrial associations.

To encourage women’s participation, an exclusive job fair was organised at SNDT Women’s University, with 36 companies recruiting women across sectors. State corporations also set up informational stalls to promote self-employment schemes.