THANE: A group of

(NCP) activists led by MLA

on Friday handed over a basketful of crabs to the Naupada police claiming they were responsible for the Tiware dam burst in Ratnagiri early this week that claimed over 20 lives.

Awhad, along with former MP Anand Paranjape, was part of a protest staged by the local unit of the party against the statement made by

MLA and Water Conservation Minister, Tanaji Sawant, who held crabs responsible for the dam burst incident.

Talking to the media, Awhad said the state government seems to have lost its sensitivity towards the incident as it has failed to fix responsibility. The party alleged the state is making such senseless allegations as it wants to shield the contractor of the dam who is affiliated to the Shiv Sena and dared the

government to take action against those found guilty in the incident.

“As many as 23 people got swept away while ten others are still missing in the unfortunate incident. If the state doesn’t want to take action against those guilty it is okay, but at least they should refrain from issuing such lame reasons,” he said.

Meanwhile, Paranjape also lashed out at the government saying it doesn’t see the role of officials in such incidents including the 2018 Mutha canal burst in Pune where the state had blamed mice.