CM orders Crime Branch probe

“Bandobast has been stepped up in the city and across the state,” Chavan said. “Every effort is being taken to ensure that there are no violent reactions to this incident anywhere in the state.” He added that Central Reserve Police Force,Rapid Action Force and State Reserve Police Force units were on standby.

Meanwhile,leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Eknath Khadse slammed the state government for not being better prepared and for not collecting sufficient intelligence about the crowds. Stating that similar morchas had been organised in various districts over the last few days,Khadse demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. “The question is whether police were mere bystanders. The police have used force on Warkaris and farmers in the past when the mob did not heed to their statements. The question arises whether the presence of a particular community changed the government’s role. An inquiry must probe all these aspects and to check if the incident was pre-planned,” said Khadse.

Sanjay Raut,Shiv Sena MP and spokesperson,called it a “preplanned riot”. Stating that there was no need for people in Mumbai to protest against incidents in Myanmar,he said,“The violence in Assam is between locals and Bangladeshi immigrants. If Mumbai Muslims are supporting Bangladeshis,they should be booked for treachery.”

Raut,like Khadse,reserved his sharpest comments for the law-enforcers,stating that the state police fires at farmers in Maval and warkaris elsewhere,but “ties its hands in the presence of the Muslim community”.

Raut said,“What can be more shameful than the fact that Mumbai policemen were among the most people injured? The Mumbai police commissioner who can take action against bars could not stop this 10 minutes away from his office.” Raut and Khadse both said police had failed to get adequate information before giving permission for the protest.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar,while promising stern action against the perpetrators of the violence,appealed for peace and calm. “I have faith that Maharashtra’s people will continue to live in brotherhood and harmony,” he said. He also appealed all political organisations to play a “positive role” and help in maintaining peace.