Police issue gag order against Raj Thackeray

New Delhi: Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a gag order against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray under section 144, banning him from addressing a press or public gathering, or carrying out any procession for the next two months.

Union Minister for Home Shri Prakash said that Centre would consider a ban on MNS if Maharashtra Government recommends it.

“If Maharashtra government recommends a ban on MNS, then the centre will consider it,” he said.

Home Minister R R Patil said,”Government plans to bring law in next Vidhan Sabha to ensure that persons responsible for such damage and vandalism pay for it.”

Raj Thackeray’s arrest triggered violence in large parts of Mumbai as party workers went on a rampage torching public transport and shutting down shops.

Raj, who was arrested from Ratnagiri, 400 km from Mumbai, was brought to Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate court at 1100 hrs IST.

Despite an open court hearing, police have restricted reporters from covering the legal proceedings.

Raj Thackeray supporters gathered outside the court in large number, shouting slogans and pelting stones at the police. Police had to resort to lathi charge to curb the protest.

CNN-IBN video journalist Abhijit Sengupta and IBN Lokmat video journalist Sandeep More were injured during the stone pelting. Abhijit was rushed to a nearby hospital with head injuries.

Anticipating more trouble, police have stepped up security and detained hundreds of MNS workers from across the state. Approximately 500 of those detained are from Mumbai.

One SRPF platoon has been deployed at the Bandra Metropolitian Magistrate court. A force of over 8,000 police personnel has been deployed across the city and Riot Control Force is on standby.

Suburban Mumbai reported sporadic incidents of disruptions. State transport buses between Borivali and Thane stopped after stones were pelted at buses near Godhbunder road in Thane.

Suspected MNS workers forcibly shut down shops and allegedly burnt an auto-rickshaw in Mumbai’s western suburb of Borivali.

Even before the news of the arrest came through, suspected MNS activists went on a rampage attacking around 30 taxis at various locations in Parel and Mumbai Central. A check-post in Mulund was also reportedly put on fire by MNS activists.

“Around six people came here and asked whether we were from Bihar or UP. When we didn’t answer, they started beating us and pelting stones on the taxis. A lot of damage has happened,” a taxi driver from Mumbai Central said.

Following the protests, shops in Vashi and Navi Mumbai were shut down and schools in western suburbs remained closed.

Violence spread to Pune as well where the local bus service Pune Mahanagar Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) was temporarily suspended, after suspected MNS workers attacked seven buses.

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#Raj Thackeray #Maharashtra Navnirman Sena #MNS #Bandra

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