The Hindu : National : Don't politicise issue: Deshmukh

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Monday, Jul 10, 2006

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National

Don't politicise issue: Deshmukh

Special Correspondent

Legislature will not be allowed to function if the culprits are not arrested: BJP

PHOTO: PTI

BURNING ANGER: (Top) A bus set afire by Shiv Sena activists after miscreants desecrated the statue of Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Sena chief Bal Thackeray, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh held an emergency meeting of the police top brass here on Sunday to take stock of the situation after Shiv Sena activists went on an arson spree all over the State. The violence was triggered by the desecration of a statue of Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in Shivaji Park ground, Dadar.

Mr. Deshmukh told reporters that it was an emotional issue and should not be politicised. He said the situation had been brought under control.

Asked about the Sena-BJP ultimatum to the Government on apprehending the culprits, Mr. Deshmukh said the first priority was to maintain law and order and sought the cooperation of all concerned.

Two buses torched

Mr. Deshmukh said two buses — a State transport corporation bus at Nashik and a private one in Mumbai — were torched and 38 buses of the State transport corporation were stoned. Over 500 persons were arrested and two persons, including a police officer, were injured.

Mr. Deshmukh said the incident had nothing to do with recent anti-police riots and lynching of two policemen in Bhiwandi in the neighbouring Thane district. He said the State had over 12,000 statues and it was very difficult to protect all.

The Bharatiya Janata Party supported the Sena, and the party leader Gopinath Munde threatened that the Opposition would not allow the legislature to function on Monday if the culprits were not arrested.

Echo in Gujarat

Special Correspondent reports from Ahmedabad:

The incident had its impact in Gujarat. Shiv Sainiks took out protest rallies in Ahmedabad and Surat, demanding action against those who desecrated the statue. In Surat, the Shiv Sainiks also attempted to enforce a "bandh'' but it was foiled by the police.

Centre promises help

UNI reports from New Delhi:

The Centre on Sunday offered all assistance to the Maharashtra Government, including sending paramilitary forces, after Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil reviewed the situation in Mumbai following violent protests triggered by the desecration of a statue of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray's wife.

Mr. Patil reviewed the developments at a meeting with Home Secretary V.K. Duggal and Special Secretary (Internal Security) Raja Gopal, Home Ministry sources said.

While offering "all possible help" to check the violence, the Home Ministry asked the state government to handle the situation "carefully and sensitively", the sources said.

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