Goa: Nitesh Rane, 8 supporters held for toll plaza attack

Panaji: Maharashtra Minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane's son Nitesh was Tuesday arrested along with eight others by Goa Police for allegedly vandalising a toll booth near here and attacking its staffers.

The incident took place on Maharashtra-Goa border and created tension in the area. Nitesh and the others, all his supporters, were booked for alleged rioting, damaging public property and assaulting public servants, police sources said.

A Goa-bound group, led by Nitesh and travelling in a convoy of private cars, refused to pay toll fee at the plaza in Pernem village, they said. A toll fee is charged from all non-Goa registered vehicles when they enter from the neighbouring states.

The group members created a ruckus and damaged the toll collection centre. They allegedly assaulted three workers employed by Goa Public Works Department to man the toll booth, the sources said.

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Police swung into action and arrested Nitesh, who runs an NGO, Swabhimaan Sanghatana, and eight of his supporters. Soon after the incident, a large number of Nitesh supporters gathered outside the Pernem police station.

Tension prevailed for sometime but normalcy was later restored, they said. Narayan Rane, a Shiv Sainik-turned-Congressman, wields considerable influence in Maharashtra's Konkan region, which borders Goa.

Rane, a former Chief Minister, currently holds industry portfolio in the Prithviraj Chavan Cabinet.

Nitesh had hit the headlines in August this year when he launched a broadside against Gujaratis living in Mumbai for praising Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his development model.

PTI