Washim (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers went on a rampage on Wednesday, vandalising the Tondgaon toll plaza on the Akola-Nanded Highway in Washim district, causing widespread damage of property. A video that has gone viral on social media shows MNS workers breaking glass panes of multiple toll booths using iron rods in broad daylight.
According to an NDTV report quoting Raju Patil Kidse, MNS Washim district president, the agitation followed from grievances regarding incomplete road work and a lack of basic facilities. “The road beyond the toll plaza is not ready for use, but the toll collection has already begun. Despite submitting multiple memorandums, no action was taken. This is sheer exploitation,” he claimed.
Kidse specifically pointed out that the stretch of road till Kanergaon village remains unfinished and accused the authorities of prioritising revenue over infrastructure. The vandalism is being viewed as an expression of pent-up frustration from local residents, amplified by political mobilisation.
Tensions In Mira-Bhayandar Over MNS Rally
The Washim incident comes amid rising tensions involving the MNS in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. On Tuesday, parts of Mira-Bhayandar witnessed heavy police presence as MNS workers, alongside members of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and Sena UBT, attempted to carry out a protest march asserting Marathi identity despite being denied police permission.
Cops had invoked Section 144 of the IPC to prohibit unlawful assembly, but large groups began gathering from early morning. The rally, originally planned from Balaji Circle to Mira Road station, was halted multiple times by police citing security concerns.
Detentions Began The Night Earlier
In anticipation of unrest, Kashimira Police began detaining protestors late Monday night, including activists from MNS, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT)and the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti. Detentions led to logistical chaos, with police forced to use autorickshaws and even convert a local banquet hall into a temporary holding centre due to the large number of arrests.
Among the key protestors detained was MNS Thane-Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav. Protesters accused the authorities of applying double standards, pointing out that a recent protest by local traders had been permitted, while their rally was blocked.
Later in the day, the march was partially allowed but halted again near Shanti Nagar, a locality with a sizeable Gujarati and Jain population. A sit-in protest followed before the march finally concluded at Mira Road station.
