Mumbai violence accused charged with murder

New Delhi: After Saturday's violence in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, 23 people have been arrested and slapped with murder charges. Investigations are still going on into the nature of the clashes. The BJP has slammed the state government for not being able to control the situation.

Police told court that they want to interrogate the accused to find out whether the violence was pre-planned, they are yet to recover the three weapons and some ammunition which was stolen by the mob and have also booked the organisers.

Police has formed a special team to investigate the violence. The CCTV footage and other video evidence is being scanned to identify rioters. The city is on high alert to avert another flare-up.

The crime branch faces a tough task as it prepares its report in the stipulated eight days.

Five of the 17 people on the stage at Azad Maidan gave speeches; the scene will be reconstructed by examining the CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, the organisers of Saturday's gathering have defended themselves.

Sources say inflammatory sms' were being circulated in the days leading up to the sit in protest, leading to questions about the failure of the state intelligence. The Opposition met the Chief Minister to demand answers.

Opposition leader Vinod Tawde said, "I said this yesterday and I'm saying this today that the Maharashtra Home Minister and Commissioner of Police must resign. The riots were pre-meditated. For the past seven days hate speeches were being given at different locations."

And with indications that some groups backed by political parties too were part of these protests, the crime branch faces a tough task as it prepares its report in the stipulated eight days.

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