3 Shiv Sena workers held for ruckus at Metro site

Mumbai: The police arrested three men belonging to the Shiv Sena for rioting after the Uddhav Thackeray-led party staged a protest at the Metro 3 site near Thakurdwar in south Mumbai and vandalised few vehicles. The political party was protesting following complaints from the locals of inconvenience caused to senior citizens and school children  owing to the ongoing work.

Officials said that at least 200 party workers along with the local residents stormed and confronted the supervisor and labourers at the site. The protest was led by a local leader, Pandurang Sankpal. The protestors claimed that they had to intervene after the Metro officials failed to take cognisance of the complaints of the locals, like the incessant parking of vehicles and disregard to the inconvenience caused due to the work.

“The locals also stated that the work had led to string of accidents some of which were fatal. The work, they said, had damaged some of the nearby buildings. Some of the protestors indulged in violence and targeted the dumpers parked at the site and some of the equipments,” said a police officer.

The local police intervened and those who vandalised the property were held. The protest went on for an hour but was contained before noon. The police spoke to the locals and the party men to diffuse tensions in the vicinity.

“We have arrested the accused for rioting and endangering personal safety and are investigating the case,” said Pranay Ashok, Mumbai police spokesperson.

The arrested accused were booked under Sections 146 (rioting), 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 337 (causing hurt by endangering life or personal safety) as per the Indian Penal Code.