A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray called upon his followers not to pay road toll and attack those who demand it, party workers vandalised booths across the State.
The offensive began on Sunday night, soon after Mr Thackeray’s speech at a function in Navi Mumbai, and continued through Monday.
By Monday evening, 104 MNS workers were arrested on charges of rioting and arson. They attacked booths in and around Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Aurangabad and Nagpur. Security has been increased outside booths.
Sources in the Home Department say they are examining Mr. Thackeray’s speech and have sought legal opinion whether they can act against him for provoking violence. “We will act against the instigators,” Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said.
He said the State could not afford to waive toll and subsidise companies that built the roads. “We are considering keeping single roads toll-free under a new policy.”
At the meeting, Mr. Thackeray told supporters: “Don’t pay a single rupee as toll. Those who demand it should be smashed. If traffic jams occur, so be it. Until they explain why we are paying toll, we should not pay it.”
