Mumbai (PTI): After days of dithering, police on Wednesday arrested Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray on charges of promoting enmity between groups and inciting violence.

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, who faces similar charges, was also taken into custody.

Thackeray's alleged remarks against North Indian migrants had sparked sporadic incidents of violence in Maharashtra over the past week.

Thackeray, who was arrested from his central Mumbai residence, was taken in a police van to Vikhroli court where he will be produced.

Azmi was picked up from his residence and will be produced before Bhoiwada court in Central Mumbai.

Cases have been registered against Thackeray and Azmi under various sections of IPC in two different police stations in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, police made about 1800 preventive detentions in various parts of the state to prevent any untoward incident in the aftermath of the two arrests, Director General of Police P S Pasricha said.