Mumbai, September 18
Protesters sore over the Supreme Court ban on loudspeakers and loud mechanical noises after 10 pm delayed the immersion of idols of Lord Ganesh in Pune last night, police officials said here today.

The police said the immersions came to a standstill at night after several revellers were booked for not switching off loudspeakers after the deadline. Sore at this, the revellers, many of who were drunk, began to attack police personnel. A mob was quickly formed and angry rioters prevented the immersion of the idols this morning.

Three police vehicles, scores of private cars and bikes were destroyed in the violence. A number of shops on the route of the processions near the Deccan area were also torched, the police said. Among those who received injuries included policemen and mediapersons.

Also targeted were Ganesh pandals in the Alka Chowk area where the civic body has its own Ganesh celebrations. Police reinforcements were quickly brought in and the Ganesh immersions were called off at around 2 am after the mobs were caned by the police.

The immersions were resumed this morning after the police brought in the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to bring the situation under control.

Among those who were arrested included political leaders who allegedly instigated the mobs. The politicians were from the NCP and the Shiv Sena.