Maharashtra tense even after bail to Thackeray

Mumbai, Feb 13: Maharashtra still remains tensed with migrant labourers leaving the state, even after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi were granted bail on surety of 15, 000 and 10,000 rupees respectively on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Mumbai Police arrested Thackeray and Azmi for "promoting" enmity between groups. Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil had to cut short his visit to Latur following reports of Thackeray's arrest. Mumbai Police had booked Thackeray and Azmi under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of place of birth, residence, etc) and 153 B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration).

Thackeray's arrest sparked off protests by MNS workers in Maharashtra in which one person was killed during a stone-pelting incident in Nashik.

While Mumbai Police have confirmed that the situation is under control, violence was reported from Nashik and Dahisar in Maharashtra. Protestors pelted stones at 30 buses in Nashik.

Soon after Thackeray's arrest, MNS workers went on rampage across Mumbai Pune, Nashik and Marathwada region. MNS workers attacked buses and public property in several places other places too.

Thackeray's supporters also protested in Kandivali and there were reports of protest in other parts of the city. Protests were also reported from Pune and Kolhapur.

In Amrawati, rumours of Raj's arrest led to MNS workers blocked roads and pelted stones at buses damaging several vehicles in the process. Preventive arrests were made here as well.

ANI