cops die in road mishaps

Thackeray8217;s effigy burnt: The local unit of the Samajwadi Party led by Bhagwan Bhoge staged a rasta roko at Dwarka circle last evening, blocking traffic on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway and the Nashik-Pune state highway.Police arrested 19 persons.

The protesters also burnt an effigy of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for his outbursts against Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Laloo Prasad Yadav. The agitation was sudden and created a traffic jam.

The protest follows a similar agitation at the same spot by local Shiv Sainiks led by district unit President Vinayak Pande on Tuesday. The Sainiks were protesting against the remarks of the Yadavs against Thackeray for saying India should provide Rs 2,000 crore in aid for Muslims in Pakistan.They also burnt effigies of the Yadavs, who had made the statements at a rally in Mumbai last Sunday.