Pune, Oct 26 : Around 65,000 earthen lamps were lighted up on the occasion of ''Deepotsav'' to herald Diwali, the festival of lights by hundreds of women at the Shaniwarwada Palace here.

The women worked meticulously, as they lighted up these traditional lamps popularly called ''Diyas'', to create fascinating designs and patterns.

Malegaon, Oct 24 : Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three persons in connection with the blasts in the powerloom town of Malegaon on September 29.

Earlier, four persons were detained by police from Indore and Dewas and later taken to Mumbai for questioning.

Maharashtra Police suspect the involvement of Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) in the Malegaon-Modasa blasts, a charge denied by the right-wing outfit.

The HJM said that it has no direct or indirect connection with the blasts.

The blast took place near a hotel in Bhikku Chowk, in which four people were killed and 70 others were injured.

The Maharastra Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a sadhvi in connection with the Malegaon blasts. She is identified as Pragya Singh Thakur.  Five people were killed in Malegaon blasts in last September.

Earlier ATS claimed that extremist Hindu groups were behind the Malegaon blasts. This has triggered a political controversy in the state.

According to an Official of ATS, "same group could also be behind the blast in Modasa in Gujarat the same day."

ATS got the links through the motor cycle used in the blast.

The BJP denied the charges made by ATS. Party general secretary Gopinath Munde said, "Hindu groups cannot be involved in blasts."

Whether u believe it or not, but it's true.

One of the groups of lawyers defending the MNS chief Raj Thackrey belongs to North India. He is the most common face in Raj's legal team.

Akhilesh Chaubey, the 32-year-old lawyer from Jaunpur in UP, is one of strongest North Indian supporter of Raj. Raj has declared war against the North Indians residing in Mumbai or coming into the business capital of India for other reasons. 

Chaubey is associated with Raj since 1987 when he was a Shivsena activist. At that time Raj was heading Bharati Vidyarthi Sena, student wing of Shivsena. 

The Maharastra Nav Nirman Samiti general secretary Shirish Parkar was arrested on Wednesday night on charges of rioting. He was arrested by Kherwadi police. Parkar is the key aide of Raj Thackrey.

Police picked him from Thackeray's residence, Krishna Kunj, in Shivaji Park. DCP (Zone-3) confirmed his arrest. "Shirish Parkar has been arrested for rioting around the Bandra-Kurla Complex on Tuesday,'' he said. 

According to police Parkar was booked under Sections 143, 144, 145 and 141 of IPC, holding him responsible of rioting and unlawful assembly.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader, Raj Thackeray, was let off on interim bail on Wednesday, after spending a night at the Manpada police station, Thane.

On Tuesday MNS workers were at their boisterous best, destroying property, indulging in arson and wreaking havoc all over the state of Maharashtra. Things calmed down a little on Wednesday when the proceedings shifted to the Kalyan court, where Mr. Thackeray was produced in relation with a case registered at the Kalyan railway police station on October 19. The allegation against him was setting off attacks on North Indian students appearing for a Railway Recruitment Board examination. The court accepted his anticipatory bail application.