Mumbai: The Mumbai Police arrested 1,600 more people as a preventive measure on Wednesday as Shiv Sena workers continued their protests ahead of the release of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name is Khan (MNIK). The police also registered criminal offences against 59 Sainiks for rioting, unlawful assembly and vandalism.
Angry at Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan’s threat to withdraw the security provided to executive president Uddhav Thackeray as the violent protests continued, Sena leaders including MPs followed in Uddhav’s wake and surrendered their police protection on Wednesday. The Sena said it was capable of protecting Uddhav, and was planning to depute its own cadre for the same.
The Sena has been protesting against Shah Rukh’s statement in support of Pakistani cricketers who have not been selected for the IPL season.
On Wednesday though, Uddhav’s security deployment remained the same. Since VIPs are given security based on threat, police sources said, it could not be withdrawn based on verbal statements alone.
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A protectee needs to write to the office of the Commissioner, and there has been no letter so far from Uddhav’s office.
The security given to the Thackeray residence Matoshree involves a platoon with three armed policemen for Thackeray Senior. Uddhav has been given two Police Security Officers — both of whom reported for duty on Wednesday.
However, former Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha MP Manohar Joshi insisted party MPs had decided to return their security. “If Uddhavji’s security has been removed and the security of MLAs who participated in the agitation (against Rahul Gandhi during his Mumbai trip) was removed, then the MPs will also return their security,” said Joshi, who is placed in the Y category.
He added that Shiv Sainiks would stay with Uddhav to ensure his security. Around 10-15 cadre from each shakha are to be deputed to protect him round the clock.
“We have informed Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari,” leader of the Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha Anant Geete said. “For us the self-respect and security of the country are more important than our personal well-being.”
The Shiv Sena has 11 members in the Lok Sabha and four in the Rajya Sabha.
Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe justified removal of security to some Sena MLAs. “If someone is taking security and indulging in violence, there is no use giving them security,” he said.
Calling for an end to the protests, the Chief Minister said the row between the Sena and Khan needed to be resolved through mutual understanding. Though the state was doing its best, other political parties also needed to give a thought to it, Chavan added.
