Raj Thackeray booked but will not be gagged
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Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rajnish Seth said that the Aurangabad police commissioner would take appropriate legal action against Raj Thackeray for his speech, wherein he had called for removal of loudspeakers atop mosques.
"The Aurangabad Commissioner of Police has studied the speech and is competent to take the required action; also, whatever legal action is required to be taken, will be taken today itself."
According to the police, Raj Thackeray and others have been booked under Sections 116, 117 and 153 of the Indian Penal Code for "wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot" and for "abetting the commission of an offence by the public or by more than ten persons".
Raj booked but will not... The political temperature went up a notch after the FIR was lodged against Raj with MNS leaders voicing fears that the arrest of their leader was imminent. Keeping a possible face-off between political cadres in mind, DGP Seth appealed to citizens to maintain peace, even as he warned that stern action would be taken against those who try to take the law in their hands. He also informed that the leave of police personnel had been cancelled in the wake of the evolving situation in the state and heavy deployment of forces has been made across the state. "Today, the home minister had a meeting to take stock of the law-and-order situation in the state. Maharashtra Police force is capable of handling any situation and we are fully ready, Several meetings have been held at the local level with peace committees and 'mohalla committees, to ensure social peace and harmony. I request every citizen of the state to maintain peace and co-operate with the police," said DGP Seth. He added, "Preventive action has been taken against 15,000 anti-social and criminal elements, thus far. Notices under section 149 of the CrPC (preventing cognizable offences) have been issued to over 13,000 persons. 87 companies of State Reserve Police Force and over 30,000 Home Guards have been deployed across the state." With the Aurangabad police registering an offence against the MNS chief, some party leaders slammed the Maharashtra government and said they would hit the streets in case of further action against their party head. Talking to reporters, MNS Thane district president Avinash Jadhav criticised Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the issue. Jadhav daimed it was (Shiv Sena founder) Bal Thackeray who had first demanded the removal of loudspeakers from mosques, but his son has booked Raj for the same. Further, Jadhav said, "It was apparent from the manner in which the government was needling us -- while giving permission for the rally -- that they wanted to book Raj saheb. The next step could be his arrest. But our motive is purely social."
"MNS workers will hit the streets...every Hindu will also do the same and show the government its place," Jadhav warned. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said the party had an inkling that Raj Thackeray would be booked, since the conditions laid down for the rally were very stringent. "The government will see the struggle of our party workers on roads. We don't fear cases. The action is to scare us. We will not be cowed down...protests will take place," Deshpande said.
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