Mumbai, February 11
The Mumbai police have filed several cases against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and the city president of the Samajwadi Party Abu Asim Azmi for allegedly provoking the violence in the city earlier this month.
While the case against Thackeray was filed at the Vikhroli police station in the suburbs, the case against Azmi was filed at the Shivaji Park police station in Central Mumbai.
Both cases were filed late on Sunday night and the information given to the media early this morning after adequate police reinforcements were called into the city.
Senior police officials said leaves of all police personnel have been cancelled and everyone has been called for ‘bandobust’ duty in anticipation of trouble.
The First Information Report (FIR) filed against Thackeray and Azmi have been filed under Sections 153, 153 A and 153 B of the Indian Penal Code which deal with undue provocation aimed to cause riots, promoting enmity between groups and making speeches that are prejudicial to national integration.
Speeches by both leaders earlier this month resulted in their followers rioting on the streets of Mumbai. Later, activists of the MNS targeted taxi drivers and small vendors belonging to the North Indian community. While Thackeray remains defiant and challenged the government to arrest him, Azmi has gone silent.
Police officials say those convicted under these laws face imprisonment up to three years or a fine or both depending on the gravity of the offence. Police officials say no decision has been taken to arrest either of the two leaders.
Meanwhile, the police today beefed up security at the offices of The Week magazine published by the Malayala Manorama group for the caricature of Raj Thackeray as Adolf Hitler on the cover of its latest issue.
Shortly after the magazine hit the stands last weekend, activists of MNS entered the office of the magazine and threatened the employees.
It is not clear if the police are confiscating copies of the magazine from the vendors to prevent trouble.
