Click to play videoNew Delhi: Two days after triggering attack on north Indians by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers, party chief Raj Thackeray was arrested early on Tuesday from Ratnagiri, near Mumbai.
Raj was arrested at 0300 hrs IST on charges of rioting in Kherwadi, where on Sunday MNS workers attacked railway board examination centres to protest “inadequate representation” of the locals.
Raj would be produced in Bandra court at 1100 hrs IST.
Anticipating trouble, police have stepped up security and detained hundreds of MNS workers from across the state, with 500 from Mumbai alone. MNS workers are reportedly gathering in Navi Mumbai, from where the police cavalcade carrying Raj is expected to pass.
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.
However, despite heavy police deployment, Raj’s arrest has sparked off several incidents of violence in Mumbai. 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, 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.
An MNS protestor in Mumbai said that Raj’s arrest was carried out in a shameful manner. He defended that the MNS chief stands for the marathi cause.
“This is the second time he has been arrested for supporting the cause of Maharashtra’s marathi populace. The manner he was arrested would put even British police to shame,” the MNS worker said.
Superintendent of Police, Ratnagiri, Fateh Singh said strict action will be taken against those who disrupt peace and if needed, more arrests would made.
“The Kherwadi police station made the arrest. If the need arises more arrests will be made. Nobody should disrupt peace and take law in their hands. And if they do then strict action will be taken,” Singh said.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said that anyone who tries to disrupt peace in state would not be spared. Earlier on Monday, an unrepentant Raj had challenged the government to arrest him.
“We showed that he (Raj Thackeray) can be stopped. We did not do it under pressure. Any such acts in the days to come will not be tolerated. We’ve engaged the best lawyers to fight in court,” he said.
Deshmukh assured Mumbaikars that the state government was taking proper action therefore there’s no need for citizens to feel threatened.
“There aren’t many incidents of violence in Mumbai. Life is very much peaceful. There have only been some stray incidents. We are taking proper action. Most of the MNS activists have been arrested from across Maharashtra. I can assure Mumbaikars that they can go about with their routine life today and there is no cause of fear for them,” he said.
“Not everybody is threatened by the MNS. We are a secular government. Their ideology is totally different. Why should we be afraid or feel threatened by them? A part of his (Raj Thackery) speech violates the law and the court will look into it. We are implementing our own policy,” Deshmukh added.
Central Government, too, has now stepped into the matter.
“Government plans to bring law in next Vidhan Sabha to ensure that persons responsible for such damage and vandalism pay for it,” Home Minister R R Patil said.
Thackeray charged under
- Section 153 IPC: provocation with intent to cause riot (bailable)
- Section 353 IPC: Assault or use of criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty (non-bailable)
- Section 427 IPC: Mischief, and thereby causing damage to the amount of Rs 50 and upwards (Bailable)
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