Police asks Raj to restrain party cadre

MUMBAI: The police on Wednesday asked MNS chief Raj Thackeray to restrain his party cadre, which attacked North Indians and targeted screening of Bhojpuri films in the last three days.

"I met Raj Thackeray during a routine round to talk about the security cover in the area around his residence and appealed for restraint to be observed by everybody for maintaining peace," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone V) DM Phadtare said.

He however, parried questions on Raj's response to his appeal.

Over 100 activists of MNS, including senior leaders Shishir Shinde and Yashwant Killedar, have been arrested following incidents of violence since Sunday. Police is also contemplating action against Raj for promoting enmity on grounds of region.

Raj has also been shown as a wanted person in a case of criminal intimidation filed by Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh.

Taxi drivers, food vendors and rail passengers hailing from north India have been targeted by MNS activists since Sunday evening following Raj's anti-north Indian statements. The activists had also clashed with SP cadre in Dadar on Sunday evening.