THANE: As many as 36 people have been arrested in nine cases registered by the Thane police for rioting in the bandh called by Maratha organisation demanding reservation on Wednesday. The number may rise later, the police said.The total damage due to bandh is said to be approximately Rs 10 lakhs and the exact losses are yet to be calculated.The police said that most of the arrested persons are the antisocial elements and had nothing to do with the agitation, their sole intention was to disrupt peace in the city.Speaking to TOI, Thane police commissioner Param Bir Singh said they have identified the accused on the basis of various evidences and some more arrests are likely."We have formed several teams to nab the accused who provoked the protesters for damaging the public property. We have also found iron rods from a spot in Thane and are investigating it,” said another senior officer.The officer informed that that one arrested accused has been identified as Sharad Kanse, who is the husband of Shiv sena corporator.The police said that they have ample of evidences as the agitation was in the heart of the city which is covered by the cctv.The police said that the crowd which was squatting on the road resorted to rasta roko at the busy Nitin Junction.Singh said that the leaders of the agitation were coopearting with the police and had even decided to withdraw the agitation. But some elements penetrated into the mob to create trouble and attacked the police with stones.Singh said that the police tried to pacify the mob and also the leaders informed them that the bandh had been called off but a section of the mob did not listen to them instead went on the rampage.The police chief said those creating mischief were from the nearby shanties or those who had nothing to do with the agitation."We used force to control the mob and also burst tear gas shells," the officer added.The commissioner added that normalcy had since returned in the city following this incident and the police were maintaining tight vigil across the commissionerate.The police requested the citizens not forward anything unverified on social that can create unrest in the society.

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