Mumbai: None of the 101 people arrested so far for the lynching of three men in Maharashtra’s Palghar district last week are Muslims, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, hitting out at the BJP-led opposition in the state for trying to give communal colour to the horrific episode.

“101 people have been arrested so far and let me tell you not a single one arrested is Muslim. So don’t give this incident a communal colour. This is not the right time to play politics,” the minister said, speaking via Facebook to maintain social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.

The case has been handed over to the CID and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that the episode seems to have taken place due to mistaken identity and that the guilty will be punished.

A tweet from the Chief Minister’s Office read: “There is no Hindu-Muslim angle or communalism in this attack. Two policemen were suspended immediately”.

It may be recalled that two saffron robed Sadhus and one driver were al hacked to death by angry mob at Gadchinchale village. One of the deceased was 70-years-old. Even the police were attacked by the mob.

As per sources all this happened after rumours of thieves in the areas started making rounds. The deceased have been identified as Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), Sushilgiri Maharaj (35) and Nilesh Telgade (30).