Nashik limping back to normalcy though internet, buses stay off

Nashik: Nashik is limping back to normalcy after witnessing violent protests since Sunday over alleged rape attempt on a minor girl by a teenager in a village near here even as stray incidents of stone-pelting and damage to vehicles were reported in some parts of city.

However, suspension of mobile internet since Monday and limited outstation state transport bus service inconvenienced citizens during festive season.

Total suspension of bus service between Nashik and Mumbai and skeletal presence of private transport caused severe hardship to commuters travelling to Mumbai.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported last evening in localities like Satpur, Pathardi Phata, Lekha Nagar and Rane Nagar, keeping police on their toes.

However, the situation remained by and large peaceful and under control today, a police officer said.

A large number of policemen took out a march in affected areas of the city.

Protests erupted in adjoining villages, and spread to Nashik, after a 16-year-old boy allegedly tried to rape a five-year-old girl at Talegaon village near Trimbakeshwar.

The boy, who has been taken into custody, was booked under relevant sections of the IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

On October 9, 'rasta rokos' were staged by angry residents in Wadivhare, Ghoti and Anjaneri-phata villages on Mumbai-Agra national highway.

Police had lobbed teargas shells and also fired some rounds in air at Talegaon to disperse the mob who had hurled stones at state transport buses and also torched vehicles of police on the highway, resulting into suspension of bus service between Mumbai and Nashik.

Incidents of stone-pelting and arson were also reported in Jail Road area of city, where a mob damaged a number of two-wheelers and four-wheelers parked along road.

Top police officials, including Commissioner of Police Ravindra Singhal, are closely monitoring the situation.

Police have already suspended mobile internet service since October 10 to prevent spread of any rumours.

The Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and State Woman Commission chairperson-Vijaya Rahatkar visited civil hospital here and met relatives of the girl.

Vikhe Patil alleged that government has failed to control the situation after the "unfortunate" Talegaon incident.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured that the case would be tried in a fast track court.