Shiv Sena's Pune bandh: protesters damage eight buses

Eight city buses were damaged by agitators as the Pune bandh called by the Shiv Sena and the BJP to protest against the removal of a statue of Dadoji Konddeo, a historical figure, started on a violent note.

The saffron alliance had called for a bandh today after the NCP-Congress-ruled Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) removed Konddeo's statue from Lal Mahal yesterday, pursuant to a resolution adopted by the civic body to that effect.

The decision followed a persistent demand from a pro-Maratha outfit called the Sambhaji Brigade, widely believed by many to be a front of the NCP.

The agitators also tried to disrupt rail traffic at Lonavala on the Mumbai-Pune section of the Central Railway, a source said.

The police, who have stepped up security measures in the city and district, detained some Sena workers as preventive measure.