Mumbai:
The Mumbai Police has warned Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers and its chief Raj Thackeray that action will be taken against them if they indulge in vandalism or disrupt law and order during their agitation against toll collection tomorrow.
Mr Thackeray, who has announced a state-wide "rasta roko" on February 12 to press for the abolition of toll tax, has dared the government to arrest him. Anticipating trouble, the police have served notices under Section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to the MNS chief and its office bearers warning them against committing cognizable offences.
"Action will be taken against those resorting to vandalism and stone-pelting. I expect the political agitation to be peaceful and within the constitutional framework," a senior police officer told NDTV.
In the last few weeks, MNS workers have attacked and vandalised toll booths across the state, including major cities like Mumbai and Pune, on the orders of Mr Thackeray, who now faces multiple cases for instigating them. Hundreds of MNS workers were arrested last week.
Undeterred, Mr Thackeray said on Sunday that he was determined to continue his stir until the government makes collection of road tax "transparent".
"My meeting with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to resolve the (toll) issue has proved futile. I am left with no option but to continue my agitation against the collection of toll and to side with the anger of the people against the unjustified road tax," he said, addressing a rally at the SP College ground in Pune.
He also criticised the state Home department for "laxity" in ensuring law and order in Maharashtra.
In a counter to the Shiv Sena criticising his toll-tax agitation, the MNS chief said, "I wonder whether that party is part of the ruling coalition or belongs to the opposition".
The Shiv Sena is headed by Mr Thackeray's cousin Uddhav Thackeray, who, in partnership with the BJP, is the main opposition to the ruling Congress-NCP government in the state. Mr Thackeray is expected to be a strong third angle in Assembly elections due in Maharashtra later this year.