Mumbai: Workers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena reacted to the arrest of party chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday by staging spontaneous protests, attacking buses and forcing shops to close down in different parts of the state.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited employee, travelling in a staff bus, died after sustaining injuries during stone pelting on the bus by MNS activists following Raj Thackeray's arrest.
The 53-year-old man sustained injuries on the back of his head in the stone-pelting incident. He died on the spot.
The activists later set the bus on fire.
The incident took place on the Manmad highway. The MNS activists also attacked a government bus on the same highway and 15 passengers were injured in the incident.
Nashik witnessed several incidents of stray violence throughout the day. MNS activists came out on the streets and started targeting shops and public properties.
In another incident, the protesters pelted stones on a government bus, leaving 58 passengers injured. They have been admitted to the civil hospital. The incident took place on the Mumbai-Nashik highway.
In Pune, several shops were closed down as a preventive measure while three buses were damaged in Kohlapur.
In Mumbai, there was no incidence of violence from any part of the city. Mumbai police said situation in the city normal. "We are well prepared for any kind of situation. People don't need to worry," Maharashtra DGP Pasricha said.
However, there were reports of disturbances from certain pockets of the city. MNS activists staged a protest outside Vikroli court when Raj Thackeray was being presented in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate.
MNS workers also forced the closure of shops in Worli and Bhandup. The MNS said it would continue its fight for Maharashtrian.
"We aren't repentant. We don't know anything about what Raj is going to do in court. We will continue our fight for the Maharashtrians," MNS spokesperson Shirish Parker said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the police have taken the correct step in arresting Raj Thackeray.
State Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil said Thackeray's arrest has shown that Maharashtra Government will not let anyone take law into his own hands
Maharashtra PWD minister Chagan Bhujbal said there was no pressure on the government from anybody to arrest him.
"We aren't interested in Raj's political gains or Shiv Sena's losses. We wanted to send a message that nobody is above the law. The government has taken all precautions. We appeal the people to maintain peace," he said.
BJP leader Ram Naik said the law has taken its own course. He, however, said the state government was guilty of delaying the action.
Earlier, after days of dithering, the police arrested Raj Thackeray on charges of promoting enmity between groups and inciting violence.
Raj Thackeray's father-in-law Mohan Wagh said the MNS chief wanted to come their place but the police did not allow him. "Everybody in the family was present when the arrest happened," he said.
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