Raj plays 'amchi Mumbai' card, accuses Maharashtra Govt. for inaction against violence

Mumbai, Aug 21 (ANI): Hitting out at the Maharashtra Government for inaction even after the violence in Mumbai, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Home Minister R.R. Patil and Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik.

Addressing his supporters at the Azad Maidan, Thackeray alleged that the Maharashtra government had ignored information on mischief mongers.

"Both Home Minister R.R. Patil and Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik must quit. Why hasn't action been taken yet against perpetrators of Mumbai violence? Those who attended August 11 rally had decided to attack cops. The attacks on policemen were carried out by outsiders," he said.

Thackeray alleged that the Mumbai Police was aware of the Azad Maidan violence, but did not take necessary action to stop it.

"Leaders like Abu Azmi incite people, police has not taken any action yet. Why did protest against Assam violence happen in Mumbai?" he asked.

Thackeray further said that he has full right to protest in a democracy.

"Police gave permission to Raza academy (one of the organisers of the Azad Maidan rally held on August 11), but not to us. It is a democracy, no one can stop us from holding a rally," he said.

Though the MNS got permission for a public meeting at Azad Maidan, the police did not give a go ahead to the party's march from Girgaum Chowpatty apprehending breach of peace.

The police, however, did not make any attempt to detain either Thackeray or his supporters when they assembled in thousands at the Chowpatty for the march.

Thousands of Thackeray's supporters gathered at the Azad Maidan here to support their leader.

Thackeray earlier arrived at Chowpatty and led thousands of supporters in a march from there to the Azad maidan. MNS activists from Thane and other nearby areas also participated in the march.

Strong security arrangements were put in place for the event. Roadblocks have been set up at strategic locations and police were conducting random checks of vehicles.

The march was in protest against 'inaction' by the Maharashtra Government and the local police on August 11 when demonstrations were held at the Azad Maidan to to protest against the ethnic violence in Assam which spiralled into a riot in which two people died and more than 40 were injured. (ANI)