Shiv Sainiks protest over power tariff hike in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 24 (ANI): At least 35 people, including eight women were injured on Wednesday during a protest staged by the Shiv Sena party here against power tariff hike in Mumbai.

"Reliance is trying to have a monopoly here. Earlier, BSES was here but they never tried to do this. Reliance is trying to extract from the people and people are angry over it and they are not going to sit quiet," Gajanan Kirtikar, Shiv Sena leader said.

Police had to resort to baton charge to control protestors after they went berserk and started damaging property and standing vehicles.

Shiv Sainiks torched a truck outside the Reliance Energy office and demanded Maharashtra state government to intervene in the price hike by various companies including Reliance energy.

The protest was followed by an appeal by the Shiv Sena activists to residents of Mumbai to desist from paying the hiked electricity bills.

Activists also blocked entry of several offices of Reliance Energy, which is the main power supplier in the Mumbai suburbs, as also the Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and Tata Power Company.

Protesters demanded that the State government should take up the matter with Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).

Police also arrested various protestors.

Shiv Sena activists protested in several parts of the state and also blocked Western Express Highway, raising slogans against the power hike. (ANI)