No one is above law: Deshmukh

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday said he had instructed the Police Commissioner and the Director-General of Police to take stern action against those responsible for Sunday’s violence in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik.

Home Minister R.R. Patil said no one could take the law into one’s own hands. He urged political leaders, including the Samajwadi Party’s Abu Asim Azmi, to exercise restraint.

Condemns attacks

Talking to reporters here, Mr. Deshmukh condemned the attacks and said the law would take its course.

If there was proof against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, the State would take action. But there had to be enough evidence and the police were asked to inquire into the matter. No one was above the law, he said.

“North Indians may rest assured that they have the government’s full protection. At a time when the Indian economy is booming, Mumbai’s cosmopolitan culture should not be stained by such incidents.”

“No judicial probe”

Asked whether there was a move to arrest Mr. Raj Thackeray, the Chief Minister said he had asked the police to inquire into the matter and there was no need to read between the lines. He ruled out a judicial inquiry as demanded by Mr. Azmi.

K.L. Prasad, Joint Commissioner (Law and Order), confirmed that there was no attack on actor Amitabh Bachchan’s house but security was stepped up there.

Two companies of State Reserve Police were posted to strengthen security in the city. There had been sporadic incidents including attacks on some taxi drivers at Dadar but the situation was under control, Mr. Prasad said. All over the State 75 persons were arrested.

The MNS members got select television crews to accompany them as they targeted North Indian vendors on trains. Some other incidents of violence were reported from the city but the police said they were minor.

Statements condemned

The statements of Mr. Raj Thackeray and the attacks on North Indians have drawn widespread condemnation from the Shiv Sena, the Congress and its coalition partner in the State, the Nationalist Congress Party, and citizens of Mumbai.

Neelam Gorhe of the Shiv Sena said the MNS had no issue to raise and was resorting to any means to gain power.

“Not part of culture”

The former Congress Minister Kripa Shankar Singh, who was part of a delegation of the Uttar Bharatiya Mahasangh, which met Mr. Deshmukh, said the incidents reported since Sunday were not part of Maharashtra’s culture at all. Action should be taken against the people who spread hate and discord.

Azmi’s demand

Meanwhile, Mr. Azmi created a stir, coming to the Vidhan Bhavan and trying to meet Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who had come there for the 14th All-India Whips Conference. However, all he could do was to unfurl a banner, which said Mr. Raj Thackeray should be arrested and a probe held into Sunday’s clashes.

Vidhan Bhavan security officials evicted Mr. Azmi and took away the banner. Mr. Azmi then shouted slogans outside.

News Source : Samachar