October 26, 2008	Sunday	Shawwal 26, 1429

PATNA, Oct 25: Police arrested more than 1,000 students in Bihar state on Saturday after their protests over the release on bail of a firebrand politician turned violent.

Raj Thackeray was arrested on Monday for allegedly inciting violence against migrant workers travelling from poor states like Bihar to the Indian financial capital Mumbai, but was freed two days later.

Students in Bihar enforced a strike on Saturday in protest against his release, attacking several railway stations, blocking national highways and clashing with police in some areas of the state.

“We are protesting against Raj Thackeray’s hooliganism,” said student leader Awadesh Lalu who was later arrested. “We will protest until action is taken against him and he is jailed again.”

At least 1,021 students were arrested across the state, police officer Anil Kumar Sinha said.

Some 20 cases had been filed against the 40-year-old politician in connection with the attacks last Sunday on north Indians who had come to Mumbai in search of jobs. The attacks were allegedly carried out by activists from his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), or New Maharashtra Army party, incensed at what they saw as under-representation of local people in the recruitment processes.

The MNS strongly supports jobs for people from western Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, and promotes the use of the local Marathi language and culture. Its stance frequently puts it at odds with wider efforts to encourage a stronger national identity and a mobile workforce.

Thackeray’s arrest had sparked fierce clashes between police and supporters who demanded his release. Taxis, auto-rickshaws, buses and businesses were attacked while three people died in rioting in the town of Kalyan, northeast of Mumbai.—AFP