Maratha stir descends into madness in Navi Mumbai's Kopar Khairne, protesters set police outpost on fire

Police lobbed teargas shells and used baton-charge in Kopar Khairane area of neighbouring Navi Mumbai this evening after a group of protesters stoned vehicles, clashed with local people and indulged in arson.

Miscreants also set fire to a police outpost.

The incidents took place after the Maratha organisations which had called for a Bandh to press the demand of reservations called off their stir, police said.

A group of protesters who were returning home hurled stones at vehicles of local people in Kopar Khairane, police said.

It led to members of local communities gathering at the spot, who clashed with the protesters, some of whom were migrant `mathadi' porters working in the Vashi Wholesale Vegetable Market, a police official said.

Stone-pelting ensued, in which some offices and shops were also damaged.

The mob also set fire to a police chowky (outpost) near D-Mart supermarket in sector 6. Five-to-six cars and over a dozen two-wheelers parked in front of the chowky were also vandalised and torched.

A hotel was set on fire in sector 3, police said.

Stones were also pelted at the police, who used baton charge and lobbed teargas shells to disperse crowds, said a police officer.

The area has witnessed clashes between migrant mathadi workers and members of the local Agari community in the past.

The situation was tense but under control now, the police officer said.