Uneasy calm prevails in Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 30 (UNI) An uneasy calm prevailed in the metropolis today after the overnight violence that erupted in Chembur-Ghatkopar area in protest against the desecration of a bust of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar in Kanpur on Tuesday.

A government bus was damaged in stone-pelting at Anita Nagar in Kandiwali (East) this morning. People had to walk long distances to reach suburban railway stations to catch trains. The fear of violence kept most auto-rickshaws away even as a few were damaged in stone-throwing, witnesses told UNI.

The march led by Republican Party of India (RPI) leader, Deepak Nikhalje, yesterday turned violent at the Chembur-Ghatkopar area where angry Dalit activists damaged over 100 vehicles and intimidated motorists on the Sion-Panvel Highway. The situation was later brought under control by the State Reserve Police (SRP).

Mayhem reigned supreme for over two hours on the Eastern Express Highway yesterday, after residents of predominantly Dalit shanties in Siddharth Nagar in Kurla (East) stone-pelted unsuspecting motorists.

Panic was palpable as commuters left their work places early yesterday. By 2200 hours, almost all busy stations on the central suburban route-- Masjid Bunder, Byculla, Dadar and Sion -- wore a deserted look.

Dalit groups also tried to take out a protest rally from Chaitya Bhoomi and Dadar to Azad Maidan. But police foiled the move and detained some activists yesterday.

Neighbouring Thane district observed a total bandh today.

Overnight, the police had a tough time in controlling mobs which went on a rampage in various districts, torching buses and shops.

Violence was also reported from neighbouring Kalyan, Dombivili and Bhivandi areas.

The police today told UNI, a Dalit mob set ablaze a bus belonging to the Kalyan-Dombivili Municipal Corporation's civic transport at Manpada in Dombivili late last night.

Security has been tightened in Thane after several buses of the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) were stoned and set on fire late last night. The police have detained several people and more than a dozen cases were registered in various police stations across the district, police control room sources said.

''Since morning, public transport buses are off the roads and auto-rickshaws not plying. Educational institutions are also closed,'' said sources.

UNI XR-WD SA HS DS1325