Violence escalates in Pune, MNS damage 47 buses, set ablaze 3 shop

Pune, Feb 12 (UNI) The violence unleashed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) against North Indians escalated today, with the party activists damaging 47 municipal buses, few private vehicles and setting ablaze three shops in parts of the city.

However, the situation is under control, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare told UNI that MNS workers stoned nearly 40-odd buses of the Pune Municipal Transport (PMT) since afternoon.

The police had, as a precautionary measure, asked many shops, owned by North Indians, to down shutters, he said.

Though the situation is under control, the police 'bandobast' in the city has been intensified, Mr Kumbhare added.

Consecutively, for the second day today, the MNS activists pelted stones on buses and vandalised a few shops owned by North Indians in support of their leader Raj Thackeray.

UNI DWN SSS MSJ PM2306