DNA reporters give an account of what they came across in the line of duty
A mark at city’s landmark
Surendra Gangan, Shivaji Park
Shivaji Park was a sea of Shiv Sainik’s around 10a.m. as the news of the alleged desecration of Meenatai Thackeray’s statue spread. An angry mob set a tourist bus, stationed in front of the Sena Bhavan on fire. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The mob turned more violent and burned effigies of Samajwadi Party MP Abu Asim Azmi and shouted slogans against him. Situation became tense when Sena leaders raised objection with Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and order) Arup Patnaik and Additional Police Commissioner (Central Region) Subodh Jaiswal to the police’s “selective action” against Sainiks.
Uddhav Thackeray, along with wife Rashmi, visited the site of the statue. The statue was later cleaned with milk and garlanded. Sena leaders Manohar Joshi, Madhukar Sarpotdar, Mayor Datta Dalvi, Opposition leader in Assembly Ramdas Kadam visited the spot. In the evening, Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray also made a visit.
Cat-calls and stone-pelting
Shabana Ansari, Andheri (west)
The usually bustling suburb of Andheri wore a deserted look on Sunday afternoon after news of a scuffle between Shiv Sena activists and the traders near the railway station reached residents. With BEST buses off the roads and autorickshaw drivers refusing to take a chance, there was no option but to walk to the station.
As I trudged along, a group of women workers from the nearby industrial estate joined me. Ignoring cat-calls by groups of men loitering on the near-empty streets, and dodging a motorcyclist who first tried to grab my bag and then sped-off with the dupatta of the woman next to me, we finally reached the station. A mob was engaged in a scuffle with the shopowners in the area. And then someone started pelting stones at our group. Fortunately, no one was hurt and I proceeded towards office with a story to narrate and a few bruises to nurse.
Crocodile Tears
Shweta Karnik, Shivaji Park
With the Sena roaring can the BJP be far behind? BJP leaders who reached Shivaji Park later in the day called on journalists to complain about the “quality” of the tear gas that was found from the site. They alleged the tear gas manufactured by TSU BSF Tekanpur (India) had a December 2003 expiry date. Party activists said it was a pity that the police of India’s commercial capital were using such sub-standard quality weapons. “Are the police not responsible for the health of agitators? How can they use expired anti-riot weapons? What if it affects the eyes of those protesters.
Costly ride
Aveek Bhowmik, Thane
The shops at Ghodbunder Road were forcibly shut down by Sainiks in the afternoon. There was some ruckus at the Cinemax multiplex too. Taking advantage of the fact that there were no public transport buses plying, rickshawallahs demanded exorbitant fares. However, the mob did not spare the few rickshaws ferrying commuters. Some vehicles were damaged after forcing the passengers to get off.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}