Malegaon additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane's murder by the oil mafia has spread an outrage across the state.While the government has carried out raids across the state to curb the menace of oil adulterators, 16 lakh employees of Maharashtra government stalled their work yesterday to protest the murder. In the raids conducted yesterday, police arrested 170 alleged adulterators. In Mantralaya, the administrative headquarters of the state government, thousands of employees reported for work wearing black bands, and immediately joined a ‘pen down’ strike yesterday that continued all day. Employee unions demanded protection for government servants and strict action against criminals. A condolence meeting was also organised.Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil has stated that the might of the oil mafia was increasing day by day, but promised that those who are involved will not be spared and will be given the highest punishment.While addressing media persons yesterday, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) K P Raghuvanshi stated that in order to send a strong message to the ghastly rising mafia, the state police would like to fast track this case and also appeal for a strong punishment.