Life disrupted following Sena protests, police on high alert

Mumbai, July 9 (UNI) Unidentified miscreants defaced the statue of the late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, triggering a spate of violent protests from party activists throughout the state today that shut down malls and markets in Jogeshwari, Mulund, Malad, Vikroli and other suburbs.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh condemning the defacing of the statue said today's incident and the local unrest at Bhiwandi were separate should not be interlinked.

Adressing the media, the Chief Minister said a high level meeting would be convened shortly to be attended by Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, Secretaries and top police officials to take stock of the situation.

Mr Deshmukh said the violence was sporadic. However, he pointed out that only two buses were torched in Mumbai and Nashik, while 38 other incidents of stone pelting on public transport was reported.

He appealed to the people to maintain calm and assured that the state machinery is doing its best to restore normalcy. He has also asked the electronic media not to repeat or show images of violence, as they are likely to provoke people.

In the last few hours, several tourist and government buses across the state have been torched by agitating Sena activists.

A high alert has been sounded across the state and police personnel deployed to maintain law and order.

Violence and arson erupted at Jogeshwari and Andheri markets, where police resorted to lathi charge and use of tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

The ongoing agitation followed by violent actions has resulted into a partial shut down of establishments at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Nariman Point and Churchgate, where the maximum number of offices are located.

Agitating Sainiks disrupted X X X picking up from para four line of BY 21 (CRIME-MAH-THACKERAY-SECOND LEAD-STATUE).

UNI TEAM MSJ PM2010