FIR against MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, notices to 13k workers

Maharashtra government on Tuesday took strict action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena demanding removal of loudspeakers from mosques. The police on Tuesday registered an FIR against party chief Raj Thackeray and thereafter made preventive arrests of its leaders.

Police personnel were also deployed outside mosques in sensitive areas. The development came hours before the MNS threatened to install loudspeakers outside mosques and play Hanuman Chalisa. The MNS said that the loudspeakers of mosques causing noise pollution are illegal and should be brought down.

Raj has been booked under sections 116, 117 and 143 of the IPC for his Aurangabad speech on Sunday. Sections 115 and 117 pertain to the commission of an offense while 143 pertain to unlawful assembly.

There is a possibility that Raj may also send a notice under section 149 which empowers the police to take preventive action. MNS leaders claimed that the police were planning to arrest Raj Thackeray. The police action came after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that there was a “plan to create riots” in the state by bringing in outsiders.

A non-bailable warrant has already been issued against Raj Thackeray by a Sangli court in a 2008 case.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil discussed the issue of MNS threat, and it was decided that MNS should not be given a free hand and action should be taken. Patil has held a meeting with the DGP and other senior police officers and asked them to take strict action to prevent any law and order problem in the state.

Maharashtra DGP Rajnish Seth said in a press conference on Tuesday that the leave of all policemen has been cancelled. “We are capable of handling any law and order problem and are ready to deal with any situation. We have taken preventive action against 15,000 criminals and anti-social elements to ensure that they do not create any law and order issue. 87 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and 30,000 home guards have been deployed across the state.

He said he had served notices to 13,000 MNS office-bearers and that “stern action” would be taken against those who disturb public peace. Police officers are also sending notices to MNS leaders not to make any statement or take any such action which may disturb peace in the state.

Maharashtra Police has also decided to ask all theater owners in the state to remove Marathi film ‘Bhonga’, which focuses on problems caused by loudspeakers in mosques.

Originally published at Pen 18