Thane, July 5: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders across Maharashtra are demanding FIR against crabs after Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant blamed crustaceans for Tiware dam tragedy in Ratnagiri district. In the latest, Jitendra Awhad, a legislator of Mumbra-Kalwa constituency, carried crabs to the police station.

Awhad said, "no arrests made yet. Since crabs are responsible for this, I brought them here." He demanded registration of First Information Report (FIR) under section 302 (murder) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) against them. Crabs Caused Leakage in Ratnagiri's Tiware Dam: Maharashtra Water Minister Tanaji Sawant.

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The demand comes after Water Conservation Minister blamed crabs for the breach in Tiware dam. He said that the dam breach incident was a "natural calamity." "The wall was weakened by a large number crabs and after it was pointed out to the government officials, some remedial measures were taken up," Sawant told reporters.

The Tiware Dam breached on July 3, creating a flood-like situation, in which 19 people were killed while few are still missing. On Friday, an NDRF search operation was closed at 7 pm which will resume at 7 am on Saturday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2019 11:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).