150 MNS workers detained in Pune

Pune, Oct 21 (UNI) Police today detained over 150 workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) from the city and its adjoining areas, even as stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from different parts of the city.

Talking to UNI, Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonawane confirmed that over 150 MNS activists have been detained by city and rural police since last night. The action was taken as a preventive measure under sections 68 and 69 of the Indian Penal Code.

He said all the police stations in the city have been ordered to detain local MNS activists. The step has been taken to avoid any untoward incident in the city.

The stone-pelting incidents were reported from various parts of the city including Kothrud, Pune-Nagar Road and Pune station. Three buses of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) were damaged by activists in the stone-pelting incident on Pune-Solapur road here this morning, while a private luxury bus was damaged at Kharadi area on Pune-Nagar road.

Sources in Rural Police Control room said many MNS workers have reportedly fled the city.

Meanwhile, MNS corporator from Pune Ravindra Malvadkar said the detention of party workers may cause tension and described the police action as 'unjustified'.

Meanwhile, according to a report from Nashik, the MNS activists had damaged 13 buses in stray incidents of stone pelting in various parts of the city such as Dwarka, Upnagar and Mukti Dham, where a tyre was burnt.

At the Central Bus Stand area, effigies of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his deputy R R Patil were burnt.

In Malegaon, tyres were burnt on Mumbai-Agra highway disrupting vehicular traffic.

The Nashik police have arrested MNS corporator Sujata Dere and other activists. However, the situation is by and large normal.

UNI SP/GB SSS BDP SSC1258