Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray’s security cover was scaled down from Z to Y category late on Wednesday night.
MNS chief orders security personnel to leave his house with their vehicles
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray’s security cover was scaled down from Z to Y category late on Wednesday night. Upset by the state home ministry decision, conveyed to him after he reached home, Raj ordered the police personnel to leave his premises with their vehicles.
Senior MNS leader Shishir Shinde said, “It is a shocking decision, taken out of vendetta against Raj for waging an agitation.” He pointed out that an identical decision had been taken against BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde after he held two successful rallies against the Democratic Front government.
Z category security, comprising 22 armed personal and one escort vehicle, is provided to prominent public figures, who face threat to their lives. A senior police officer said, “We review the security status at regular intervals and revise decisions accordingly. In case of Raj, it was felt that Y category cover (11 armed personal) would be adequate for now.”
In another development, the police arrested MNS general secretary Shirish Parker, along with 13 activists, for making provocative speeches.
Earlier, Raj returned home to a hero’s welcome, given by thousands of supporters gathered outside his residence, Krishna Kunj at Shivaji Park. As his car came to a halt,
cries of ‘Rajsaheb zindabad’ rented the air. Supporters jostled with each other to catch a glimpse of their leader.
Family members, along with members of the MNS women’s wing, gave him a traditional welcome, performing aarti and applying tilak on his forehead. On the streets, supporters burst crackers and distributed sweets.
Raj refrained from making any statement. His ordeal is still not over. He may have to face another trial at Vikhroli court on Thursday. Home ministry officials said, “There are several cases registered against him for inciting violence and making provocative speeches in places like Pandharpur, Pune and Nashik. We are still compiling the cases against him, which run over 25.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}