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help us: Ramesh Yadav at his vegetable shop. Lalji Yadav (inset). pics/sameer markande

While Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists were busy celebrating the release of their chief Raj Thackeray, the house of Bhandup resident Ramesh Yadav (22) bore a morose look. Yadav had returned after performing the last rites of his father Lalji Yadav (50) who died yesterday, becoming the city's first casualty of the MNS violence.

MNS activists protesting Raj's arrest were forcing shopkeepers in Tulsipada, Bhandup to down their shutters yesterday. According to Ramesh, his father was at their vegetable shop when about 15-20 MNS workers attacked him.

During the scuffle Yadav's head hit the wall and he collapsed. He was rushed to Sanjeevani Hospital in Bhandup where doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body was later sent to Rajawadi Hospital for postmortem.

No compensation

"I don't understand why the government is not declaring compensation for the injured and those who died in these riots. My father was the only earning member of our family. I don't know how we will manage now," said Ramesh.

Tahsildar Yadav, a neighbour, said, "Whenever Raj is arrested, we will have to shut our shops. We earn our living by hard work. Who will compensate us?"

The Bhandup police have registered a case of accidental death and are awaiting the postmortem report.