Thane, Maharashtra: An overnight protest demanding arrests in the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) Manpada division chief Pradeep 'Balu' Purnekar brought parts of Thane and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway to a standstill on the night of 27-28 October, with a traffic tailback of about 20 kilometres reported from Versova Bridge to the Virar border, according to Mirror Now.
Source: Mirror Now
News18 Marathi also reported a road blockade (rasta roko) by the Purnekar family and supporters in the Manpada area on Ghodbunder Road, with protesters demanding the arrest of the accused in the case.
Source: News18 Marathi
How the night unfolded
According to Mirror Now, the unrest began outside the Naupada police station, where supporters had gathered to demand swift action against suspects in the murder. Tensions rose after police detained Ram Purnekar, who had been leading the call for justice, and a larger crowd took to the streets. The report said there were reports of stone-pelting and arson in the vicinity, and that police reportedly used a lathi-charge to disperse crowds and regain control.
The blockade at Hari Niwas Circle persisted for approximately 16 hours, while the highway itself remained obstructed for approximately six hours at the height of the agitation, Mirror Now reported. The protest was eventually called off after police intervention and the clearing of the highway, and traffic movement has since been restored, though it remained slow.
The Purnekar murder case
Pradeep Purnekar was shot and hacked to death inside his office on 29 September. Police have arrested multiple suspects in the case, and a Special Investigation Team is examining call records and movements, according to earlier reporting on the investigation.
Purnekar's family has alleged that former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra Shinde masterminded the murder. These are the family's allegations: Meenakshi Shinde has denied the claims, and Rajendra Shinde has been questioned by police, according to earlier reporting. No court has pronounced on the allegations.
Police continue to monitor the situation in Thane as the investigation into the murder remains underway, Mirror Now reported.