Samant Cremated; Industry Observes Bandh
Most industrial units in the city remained shut yesterday to mourn the murder of trade union leader Datta Samant, even as the Mumbai police raided over 60 houses in search of the killers.
Sources said, Prime Minister Deve Gowda who flew down to Mumbai last evening told senior Janata Dal leaders a CBI inquiry could be launched, if the Maharashtra government requests it.
About 90 per cent of the cotton textile mills observed the bandh and about 80 per cent of autorickshaws and half the citys taxis were off the streets, partially crippling the citys transport system. Ninety per cent of BEST buses did not ply on the road on Friday.
Minor scenes of stone-pelting took place in some parts of the city but no serious untoward incidents were reported.
Joint commissioner of police R S Sharma said the police were looking into the case from three angles; trade union rivalry, opposition to textile mill land sale and personal enmity, probably arising out of the quarrying work behind his Powai residence. Three persons have been taken in for questioning.
Deputy chief minister Gopinath Munde identified four industrial units