Police move cautiously as Bhiwandi rocks assembly

MUMBAI: The murder of two policemen in Bhiwandi on Wednesday night dominated proceedings in the legislative assembly on Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, two residents of the powerloom town were killed in police firing. Local Muslim organisations have claimed that land earmarked for a police station belongs to them.

The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-led opposition demanded that question hour be set aside for a debate. After heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, the House was adjourned for 20 minutes.

During the four-hour debate in the afternoon, Home Minister RR Patil announced that a senior police officer will investigate the riots. He said section 302 of the Indian Penal Code will be invoked in the case of the policemen’s murder.

But police are proceeding with caution, given the sensitivity of the situation. Prohibitory orders under section 144 have not been imposed in the town, to avoid increasing tension.

The home minister said the claims of the Raza Academy and the Kabrastan Committee will be verified against government records.

Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam said that after the government and the court had rejected their claim, locals got angry and declared that they had no respect for the law or the government.