MUMBAI: Taking a tough stand against the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Maharashtra government has decided to recover the costs for the damages done to properties by the Shiv Sena and MNS workers in Nashik and Mumbai.
Speaking to journalists after the late evening state Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Home Minister Jayant Patil said that orders have been issued to the Mumbai police to initiate penal action against the Sena and MNS, and soon notices would be served on both the political parties to pay up for the damages by the judiciary.
Patil said that the Mumbai police commissioner was preparing a detailed report which would be submitted to the judicial magistrate, who will then issue orders to both the groups to pay the damages. Patil further stated that the state government would apply the amendment to the Bombay Police Act.
During the Cabinet meeting, state Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had asked Patil whether the police department had taken any penal action against the Sena and MNS for recovering the costs for the damages done to properties by its workers. It is only after this, that Patil informed them that the police would be told to initiate action on this aspect.
The government action follows after Shiv Sena workers on Jan. 21 vandalized Hotel Inter-continental in Andheri suburb of Mumbai, protesting against the retrenchment of workers. Three days ago, the MNS party workers had gone on rampage and attacked the office of the registrar of the Bombay University, protesting against the question papers of LL.M. being set in English and demanded that this should be done in Marathi.
