Protesters damage police vehicles in Thane, 3 injured

Three policemen were injured and half a dozen motorbikes were torched by the mob protesting against the alleged use of pages from a holy book in firecrackers at Mumbra near here, police said.

The protesters also damaged a wireless van and couple of police jeeps, they said.

The town witnessed street protests on Friday amid reports that explosive powder used in fire crackers was rolled in papers that contained verses from the holy book.

The crackers were burst to celebrate the mass marriages conducted by a local welfare trust yesterday. The torn pieces of paper were found early today, police said.

Meanwhile, the police have registered an offence against the concerned crackers shop.

Additional police force has been deployed in the town.

The situation was tense but under control now, they said.