Fearing violence by MNs activists, city comes to halt

Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) North Indian shopkeepers today shut down the shutters of their establishments due to fear of assault and ransacking by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists in the city.

Shops were closed down in Bandra, Santacruz and Dadar areas of the city and Bhayendar in the neighbouring Thane district.

The taxi operators have called back their drivers and asked them to park the vehicles at the taxi stands owing to continuous stone-pelting on their vehicles. In the past ten days, more than 100 taxis were damaged by the MNS activists and several taxi drivers were manhandled. The attendence in offices was also low.

MNS workers and supporters thronged the Vikhroli court in the eastern suburbs, where MNS chief Raj Thackeray was likely to be produced after his arrest.

UNI ST/GS NM MS RK1720