After Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray warned of an agitation against the state government for the toll collected on highways across the state, MNS activists went on a rampage at the toll naka on Eastern Express Highway in Mulund (East) on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, MNS activists closed down Nisare toll plaza in Patan taluka.
In the Mulund incident, six chowkis (toll collection centres) were damaged at the toll naka on Eastern Express Highway. Navghar police arrested 19 people, including MLA Shishir Shinde.
“At around 1.30pm, more than 100 workers shouted slogans like ‘MNS Zindabad’ and charged at the chowkis with lathis. The police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control,“ said ACP (Mulund division) Mahadeo Gundewadi, adding that nobody was injured in the incident
“The 19 protestors have been booked for rioting and damaging public property. They will be produced before the Mulund metropolitan magistrate’s court on Friday,“ said Gundewadi and added that police patrolling has been intensified in the area to prevent further incidents.
In Patan taluka, 11 people were arrested after some 50 activists they began pelting stones at the plaza and breaking chairs. After the violent agitation, toll collection on the plaza was closed throughout the day.
