Normalcy returns to Navi Mumbai; total arrests 109

Mumbai, Mar 19 (UNI) The satellite towns in Navi Mumbai which were tense for the past four days after an eve teasing incident during Holi festival escalated into full blown violence, were returning to normalcy today.

The markets had opened in the major towns of Vashi, Nerul, Jui Nagar and Turbhe, although curfew continued as a precautionary measure in the jurisdiction of Kopar Khairne police station after it was clamped yesterday noon following renewed violence by the members of the Agri community locked in a pitched battle with the police.

The altercation had begun over the issue of teasing of a girl from the 'Mathadi' (head load) workers colony by some village youths of Ghansoli on the day of Holi. While police firing on March 16 left two persons dead, another was killed in group clashes.

Today, with the autorickshaws plying as usual and the roadside tea stalls, STD booths and cigarrete kiosks opening, the business returned to near normalcy after almost four days of violence.

This is the first such incident of violence on this scale since the satellite townships were set up to shift some of the wholesale business in agriculture and horticulture produce, after which some corporate and government offices moved in during the past three decades.

A total of 109 people have been arrested on charges of rioting since the violence erupted at Ghansoli on March 15 evening, Sub Inspector Hemant Bhat at the Navi Mumbai Control room today said.

The police had launched heavy combing operations in the past two days to book rioters.

Mr Bhat said the situation in the township was under control with no untoward incident having been reported since last night, even as uneasy calm prevailed at Kopar Khairne this morning.

Today being a Sunday, the police were seen dissuading the public from going out of Kopar Khairne and also blocking those coming in at Vashi, according to residents there.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, after a meeting with the representatives of the Agri community, Mathadi workers, local politicians and police officers yesterday evening, had announced the transfer of Inspector Shamsher Pathan, who had been accused of 'mishandling' the situation at Ghansoli, and an inquiry by an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police to restore peace in Navi Mumbai.

Violent mobs had attacked the Nerul and Rabale police stations on March 17 evening and yesterday morning.

Amongs the 75 odd injuries in the group clases were 20 policemen, including Additional Commissioner of Police Paramjit Singh from Mumbai Police, who was sent there on special duty.

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