Tension prevailed in Vasai after villagers protesting against the newly formed municipal corporation retaliated an alleged attack by a local legislator Hitendra Thakur and his aides on Sunday night. Shops and establishments belonging to the villagers in the city were attacked by MLA Thakur and his men on Monday. Superintendent of Police Madhukar Pandey said the situation was tense,but under control. The incident took place at Wagholi Naka where villagers had gathered to gear for the bandh the following day. According to Manvel Tuscano,who has lodged an FIR at Nallasopara police station,MLA Thakur,MP Baliram Jadhav,and party members Aju Patil,Umesh Naik and police escorts arrived at Wagholi Naka and engaged in verbal duel with the villagers. I reached the spot after I was informed that MLA and his men were causing trouble at Wagholi. When I tried to reason with the policemen someone hit me on the back of my head. That was when the situation got out of control, said Tuscano. MLA Thakur had allegedly assaulted one villager Vincent Pereira. In the two-decade criminal history of Vasai,this is perhaps the first time that MLA Thakur,younger brother of TADA convict Jayendra Thakur,has had to fear for his life. MLA Thakur had to abandon his police escort and fleet of vehicles and run to the next village Nale from he was rescued by the police. The police rescued MP Jadhav from Wagholi. On Monday morning,Tuscano lodged an FIR at the Nallasopara police station against MLA Thakur and his men for violation of law and order. There was no business for MLA Thakur and his men to come to the village at that time. The protest against the municipal corporation was peaceful till MLA Thakur arrived on Sunday night, said Tuscano. Meanwhile,Shiv Sena leader Vivek Pandit continued on indefinite fast on the second day at Vasai demanding that the government withdraw 53 villages from the newly formed civic body. His doctor has warned Pandit who is a diabetic that fasting may result in serious health problems.
