36 MNS workers lathicharged, held for disrupting Vasai marathon

The incident occurred a few metres from the Tulinj police station

Around 36 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers were arrested by the Tulinj police on Sunday morning for disrupting the annual Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon to protest against alleged corruption in the civic body.

A source said the police warned the party not to stage the protest, but it ignored their warnings. (Surendra Negi)

The police resorted to a ‘mild’ lathicharge to control the situation and took the protestors — half of whom are women — into custody. The incident occurred a few metres from the Tulinj police station.

Though the party had informed the event organisers and the police of their protest plans in advance, neither the cops nor civic officials could prevent them from creating a ruckus during the marathon.

A source said the police warned the party not to stage the protest, but it ignored their warnings.

The MNS said corruption under the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) was rampant and unchecked. “Residents of Vasai and Virar pay taxes too. Then why is special treatment being given only to residents who live along the marathon route? The marathon route has been freshly-tarred, while the rest of the city’s roads are neglected,” said John Peter, a district leader of the MNS in Palghar,.

All 36 workers were held under the Bombay Police Act under section 135 and section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. They were later released on bail.