Raj's bail eases tension

Nashik, Feb 13 (UNI) The news of bail of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) President Raj Thackeray this evening eased some tension, the city and adjoining areas were experiencing for the last two days.

Earlier the incidents of sporadic violence were reported from various parts of the city and adjoining areas which claimed one life and seriously injured another.

The common people were the worst sufferers of all this show of muscle power.

One Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) engineer Ambadas Dharrao (53), resident of Sainath Nagar, Wadala Naka area of the city, lost his life in one such incident whereas another person was seriously injured in the same incident.

The violent MNS cadres burnt down at least 15-20 vehicles mostly Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses.

A private bus of a Marathi theatre group, Ajanta Art from Shivdi, Mumbai, carrying a huge board of ''Mi Marathi'', was also stoned in this ''battle'' against the Non-Marathis.

According to Superintendent of Police Nikhil Gupta, no one was injured and only three vehicles were damaged in violence in rural parts of the district. As many as 170 people were arrested by the Nashik Rural police.

According to latest reports, a truck was burnt near Ghoti town in Igatpuri taluka of the district. Till late evening vehicular traffic regained normalcy. Passengers were seen waiting for means to reach their destination at many places. Most of the city buses were not running but the city experienced a near total bandh after the arrest of the MNS leader.

In areas like Malegaon some MNS workers burst firecrackers to celebrate the bail of their leader.

UNI GB SZ VP0155