Shiv Sainiks fear attack by Rane men, guard Saamna office

ON GUARD: Sainiks are reportedly working in shifts to guard the Sena Bhavan and Saamna office.

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Mumbai: Shiv Sena activists are now guarding their head office and the Saamna newspaper office anticipating attacks from followers of Congress leader and Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane.

The protection is also in view of the Sena's anniversary celebrations today. The Sainiks are reportedly working in shifts to guard the Sena Bhavan and Saamna office.

"We live nearby but now we stay in the office to protect it," a Shiv Sena supporter says.

Saamna on June 13 published a morphed picture of Rane dressed like a new bride. The paper claimed that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had himself described Rane as a newly wed daughter-in-law.

Angry supporters of Rane have already burnt effigies of Saamna in Akola and Nashik. The Saamna office in Pune was also vandalised by a mob claiming to be Rane supporters.

Rane switched from the Sena to the Congress a few years ago and reportedly has ambitions of getting the top job in the state.