Nashik remains tense after peaceful funeral

Nashik, Nov 30 (UNI) This northern Maharashtra town, which witnessed largescale violence this morning, continued to be tense, though cremation of the youth lynched by a mob passed off peacefully today.

Rangnath Shankar Dhale, 26 , was beaten to death by a mob in Nashik Road area late yesterday night. Thousands of people attended his funeral today. Police have arrested three people in this connection.

PWD Minister Chaggan Bhujbal, who visited the town, announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh for the bereaved family. The Minister, who visited the house of victim, also promised a government job to an eligible member of the family and treatment of cancer-ridden father of the deceased.

At least 40 vehicles, including 15 buses of the state government, were damaged by agitated Dalit youths protesting desecration of the community's icon Dr B R Ambedkar at Kanpur on Tuesday. Three of the buses were torched.

Nashik observed ''bandh'' today on the call of the Republican Party of India.

For overnight rioting in Malegaon town, 12 people have been arrested and sent to police custody till December 3.

UNI AKS SA PK HT2235