Premium
This is an archive article published on May 2, 2008

Raj’s rally turns Mumbai in fortress

Police officials said that personnel from the reserve Arms Branch, police commandoes & Riot Control Police will be posted.

.

Over one lakh people are expected to attend MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s public meeting at Shivaji Park on Saturday and elaborate arrangements security arrangements like calling reserve forces have been made, police said on Friday.

Though the police refused to divulge the exact numbers, top officials said that personnel from the reserve Local Arms Branch of the city police, police commandoes, Riot Control Police and State Reserve Police Force will be posted.

“We have also requisitioned Rapid Action Force personnel for tomorrow and a decision is likely on the proposal by late this evening,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad said.

Story continues below this ad

Raj, who had led a violent anti-north Indian campaign in February, is expected to unveil the strategies of his two-year-old outfit Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at the rally.

Besides this, a three-tier security ring is expected to be set up at the venue and the police will also have an eye on the happenings as Close Circuit Cameras have been placed at all entry-exit points and other spots.

“There are two important aspects to be looked at. One is the security at the venue and the second is crowd control.

Everybody walks in peacefully but what if they get infuriated after the speech and indulge in some mischief after the rally,” Prasad added.

Story continues below this ad

Activists from the MNS and the Samajwadi Party had clashed in the vicinity of Shivaji Park on February 3 this year before the beginning of an United National Progressive Alliance rally addressed by Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The clashes had snowballed into a full-fledged anti-north Indian campaign across Maharashtra by MNS. Raj was also arrested for inciting people.

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement