CIL vice-president (legal and company secretary) Dinesh Castellino alleged on Monday that Shiv Sena has been threatening him and other senior management officials, asking them to reinstate the six employees dismissed a year ago from Cummins Kothrud campus.

Speaking at a press conference, Castellino said, “Some Shiv Sena members have been calling up my colleagues and me in our office as well as on our personal mobile numbers, threatening us to take back the employees.” He said a complaint has already been lodged and the police are investigating into the case.

The company authorities said they would not give in to the threats and will not take back the employees. “We dismissed them after giving enough warning and show cause notices. They were found guilty of indulging in anti- company activities like holding private meeting against the company within the company premises as well as outside its premises. They had also abused the management officers,” said Vikram Jaishinghani, vice-president (industrial engine business unit), CIL.

However, the Sena has denied giving any such threats to the Cummins management. Shiv Sena Pune unit chief Nana Wadekar said, “We have no reason to threaten the management. We are already holding our agitation against the company. If we want to make a point, we would directly speak to the management.” Sham Deshpande, Shiv Sena corporator from Kothrud, said no threats have been issued to any company official. Another reason for the Sena agitation was the recruitment of non-Maharashtrians by the company. However, Castellino said the company could provide documentary proofs that 90 per cent of its 5,700 employees are Maharashtrians.