Police on high alert as protest spreads, city comes to halt

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.

Joint Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik told mediapersons that the city remained on a high alert in view of the ongoing protests and bandh called by the activists in the Sena strongholds.

Rising incidents of stone pelting and arson has forced business establishments in the city to shut down operations fearing loss of life and property.

Agitating Sainiks disrupted suburban train services at Dadar in North Central Mumbai, Dombivali and Thane stations in neighbouring Thane district stranding scores of commuters in those routes.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Abdul Tamboli told UNI that BEST bus services in the city are completly off the roads following the bandh called by Shiv Sena.

Incidentaly, BEST is an undertaking of Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) which is the civic watchdogof the city, is controlled by Shiv Sena.

Police detained Nanded MLA Anusaya Khedkar and former MP Pradip Jaiswal along with other Sainik agitators in different parts of Marathwada.

Police detained hundreds of Shiv Sainiks including corporators Sanjay Shirsath, Ms Lata Dalal and leader of the house in AMC Sanosh Khendke.

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