Thane police resorted to a lathi charge after protests over the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) Manpada division chief Pradeep Purnekar blocked major roads, severely disrupting traffic and escalating into a confrontation in which three police personnel were injured. More than 250 protesters have been booked in connection with the blockades and violence.
The protests began after Purnekar’s family and supporters raised questions about the investigation into his killing in September. The family has alleged that evidence submitted to police has not been adequately examined and has demanded the arrest of former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde. The allegations against the couple have not been established, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The agitation spread across Naupada, Manpada, the Balkum–Bhiwandi stretch and the Manorama Nagar–Azad Nagar area. Protesters blocked Ghodbunder Road near Manpada junction and burnt tyres, bringing traffic to a standstill for nearly seven hours, according to information cited in the report. Thousands of commuters were stranded, with congestion spilling onto connecting roads. Some passengers reportedly abandoned their vehicles and walked several kilometres to reach home, while concerns were raised about access for emergency services.
Police said protesters refused to clear the road despite repeated appeals. At around 3am, officers used a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and restore traffic movement. Protesters allegedly responded by pelting stones and throwing glass bottles at police. Three personnel were injured, including an assistant police inspector from Chitalsar police station and a woman officer from Kapurbawdi police station. Some protesters were also reportedly injured.
Thane police have denied permission for separate protests planned by both Shiv Sena factions, citing the risk of further law-and-order problems. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) had planned an agitation attended by Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders. The protest was to demand justice for Purnekar, action against the Shinde couple and the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as Thane’s guardian minister. The Eknath Shinde-led faction had planned a counter-protest, but that gathering was also denied permission.
Despite the denial, Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut were expected to visit Thane to meet Purnekar’s family. Shiv Sena workers were reportedly directed to assemble at Anand Ashram in Tembhi Naka. Police have imposed prohibitory orders and appealed to protesters not to take the law into their own hands or inconvenience the public.
The Special Investigation Team met Purnekar’s family at the Anti-Extortion Cell office for about one-and-a-half hours. Police said the team had been tasked with collecting CCTV footage, examining technical evidence and corroborating leads. Statements from Ram and Jaynath Purnekar have been recorded, while investigators are matching footage with other evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Police have also said that weapons and vehicles were seized from accused persons, including Nitesh Pawar and Bhavdya, and that information was sought from airport authorities to prevent suspects from fleeing. Meenakshi Shinde was questioned by the SIT for more than seven hours, while Rajendra Shinde had also been questioned earlier, according to the report. Police have maintained that further action will depend on the evidence collected and corroboration of technical findings. The motive and the alleged extent of any wider conspiracy remain to be conclusively established.
