Ulhas won8217;t take no8217; for an answer

MUMBAI, Dec 3: While the man of the moment remains out of station,Ulhasnagar finds itself in the throes of a massive convulsion. Autoricks...

MUMBAI, Dec 3: While the man of the moment remains out of station,Ulhasnagar finds itself in the throes of a massive convulsion. Autorickshawswent off the streets today while shops and othe commercial establishmentsremained shut to protest against the removal of T S Chandrashekhar8217;sadditional charge as commissioner of the Ulhasnagar Municipal CorporationUMC. Chandrashekhar, who is municipal commissioner of Thane, was divestedof the responsibility on Wednesday, when the state government appointed theassistant collector of Nanded as the new UMC commissioner.

This is the second bandh in three days. Autorickshaws had gone on a fllashstrike on Wednesday as well, when the state government issued the orderdivesting Chandrashekhar of the additional charge.

While there were no reports of untoward incidents in this 13 sq-km townshiptoday, allegations flew thick and fast from both the ruling Congress-UPP andthe Sena-BJP sides about the enforment of the bandh.

While the ruling Congress insisted that shopkeepers were being coerced intoclosing shops by Shiv Sainiks, the Opposition claimed that the closure wasvoluntary and that the Congress and its allies were instead coercing peopleto open their establishments. The Republican Party of India, which is partof the ruling combine, has however thrown its lot in with the Sena-BJP thistime. Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone IV D M Phadtare told ExpressNewsline: 8220;There have been a spate of mischievous calls makingallegations against each other. We are not taking chances and have beefed upbanodbast in the city.8221;

The action committee formed to try and get Chandrashekhar reinstated inUlhasnagar organised street corner meetings which received a good responsefrom residents. B B More of the RPI said, 8220;If the government is intent onmoving Chandrashekhar out let it do so after the first phase of the roadwidening work is completed.8221; He pointed out that once this happens,development work in the township could continue.