Angry protestors resort to stone pelting, arson

Mumbai, Jan 6 (UNI) Hundreds of angry protestors indulged in stone pelting and arson following the alleged suicide of a 77-year-old Buddhist monk, Bandan Sangray Thoro Mandir, in Chembur area of North East Mumbai today.

The trouble soon spread to several parts of the city including Chembur, Kandivali, Sion, Kurla, Andheri and Bhiwandi in the neighbouring Thane district, police said here tonight.

In Kurla, the mob set afire a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) bus and hurled stones at five other buses, damaging windowpanes. Shopkeepers in Chembur area downed the shutters and the busy market area wore a deserted look this evening, police said.

In Chembur, tension prevailed tonight and buses proceeding to Govandi were diverted through other routes in view of the tension in the area.

Except for a few cases of minor injury, there was no loss of life.

No arrest has been made so far, police sources added.

Suspecting foul play, the local residents pointed fingers at a builder. According to sources, builder Lakrawala had a dispute with Bandan over development rights of Panscheel Housing Society, that was vested with the former.

Meanwhile, Lakrawala is reported to be out of the country.

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