Calls for heads of Patil and Patnaik
Slamming Minister for Home R. R. Patil over administrative failure, MNS chief Raj Thackeray demanded the resignations of Patil and Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik citing his failure at preventing the Azad Maidan riot on August 11 despite being forewarned about it by an anonymous source.
Thackeray announced that his party would take out a morcha on Tuesday, August 21, from Girgaum Chowpatty to the Azad Maidan to press for the dismissals of Patil and Patnaik.
The MNS chief also claimed that the police had been forewarned about potential trouble at Azad Maidan on August 11. A lady from Zone 9 in Bandra-Vakola area had written a letter to the ACP giving the names of the miscreants, about banners being put up urging the community to rise over alleged perceived threats to the community and about leaflets being distributed amongst people at religious places. After the riots, the lady once again wrote a letter to which again there was no response from the police. The lady has however received acknowledgements from the police to both her letters.
Demanding to know why criminals facing externment orders were found indulging in rioting were still around, Thackeray lambasted the Police Commissioner for abusing a DCP who arrested a rioter and for ordering his release.
Thackeray alleged that the rioting was the handiwork of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and outsiders. He said that if the Home Minister had any shame left in him then he should tender his resignation. The MNS chief sarcastically remarked that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who prides himself at being called as ‘Tagya’ (rowdy), should take over the Home Ministry.