Mumbai cops crack down on Raj Thackeray's men

New Delhi: The Mumbai police have finally decided to take stern action against the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists who have been attacking north Indians in the city for the past three days.

On Tuesday, MNS leaders Shishir Shinde and Yashwant Killary along with another party sympathiser Bala Nandgaonkar were arrested for their involvement in the violence against the north Indians.

Even though Nandgaonkar is a Shiv Sena MLA but he is considered a close confidante of Raj Thackeray.

"Shishir Shinde as well as Bala Nandgaonkar has been arrested. They have been taken to Bhoiwada court," KL Prasad, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), said.

Over 70 MNS workers have also been arrested for rioting and damaging property across the city.

Senior police officials also said that they would be taking action against all the political leaders who were promoting enmity on grounds of region and language.

On Tuesday, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam was also arrested along with 36 supporters at the Shivaji Park in central Mumbai after he decided to take out a rally to Raj Thackeray's house. He was released after a few hours.

Earlier in the day, Nirupam's office as well as famous Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari’s house was stoned by supporters of the MNS. Tiwari has been given police protection after the attack on his residence.

Meanwhile, Mumbai taxi drivers have demanded compensation after being targeted by MNS activists. They are threatening to go on strike on Wednesday if their demands are not met.

The police have also detained some Samajwadi Party activists.

Prasad also said, "We are analysing the statements made by leaders from the MNS as well as the Samajwadi Party recently and looking specifically for explicit statements on regionalism made by them."

The recent clashes are "as bad as the bomb blasts" witnessed in 2006, Prasad said.

On Monday, SP leader Amar Singh filed an FIR against Raj Thackeray for alleged criminal intimidation.

Munna Tripathi, an activist of Sharad Pawar-led NCP, also filed a case of criminal conspiracy against Raj Thackeray before the Andheri Metropolitan Court.

On the other hand, the MNS is not backing down from its anti-north Indian rhetoric.

Vasant Gite, who is a MNS corporator from Nashik, said the party would not allow trains coming from north India in to Maharashtra if north Indian leaders do not stop from making allegedly provocative speeches.