Mumbai:
Politician Raj Thackeray was detained by the Mumbai Police this morning when he was headed to a toll plaza in a suburb in north-east Mumbai to protest against toll tax. He has been released.
Here are 10 big developments in this story:
Mr Thackeray, 45, is the chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) which has been vandalizing toll plazas across the state in recent weeks.
The party had declared that today, it would block major highways in different parts of Maharashtra as part of its campaign.
The MNS says that toll taxes are unfair to commuters because roads are in poor shape and attendant facilities are sub-standard.
MNS activists, including representatives of its women's wing, stormed roads and highways on the outskirts of Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Raigad and Nashik, attempting to halt the morning peak hour traffic.
The riot police or Rapid Action Force is posted on key city roads, highways and intersections along with the Maharashtra Police to prevent violence.
Hundreds of MNS members have been detained as a precaution to maintain law and order.
Security has also been escalated at the 145 toll collection booths across the state.
This latest surge in MNS activity began after Mr Thackeray said at a rally on January 26 that people should not pay toll.
Mr Thackeray had been warned by the state government and police yesterday that he would be detained if he went ahead with his planned protest.
The politician had assured the people, "We have decided to exclude schools and colleges from the stir in view of exams. Cities won't be affected by the stir."
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