SHOW OF STRENGTH: The city police have taken a rash of measures to ensure peace in the aftermath of the Ayodhya verdict
Mateen Hafeez & Yogesh Naik | TNN
Mumbai: Wary of a repeat of the 1992-93 riots, the Maharashtra government has put the state on high alert and, for the first time, carved Mumbai into three regions under joint commissioner-ranked officers to maintain law and order.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, home minister R R Patil appealed for peace and asked people to refrain from hurting the sentiments of other communities. “A repeat of 1992-93 riots has to be avoided. Maharashtra is a progressive state and we have to guard that image,” said Patil, adding that the state has been put on high alert.
A senior police official told TOI that on Thursday crime branch chief Himanshu Roy will monitor law and order in north and west region (Bandra-Dahisar), joint commissioner Rajnish Seth will be oversee south and central region (Colaba to Kurla),while joint commissioner Bhagwant More will be posted in East region (Chembur to Mulund).
“So far 3,500 people have been arrested as preventive measure. Also, we have issued notices to more than 900 people and 100 others have been externed from city limits,’’ said a police official.
In a bid to thwart troublemakers, the state also declared Thursday and Friday as dry days (Saturday is already a dry day due to Gandhi Jayanti).
Chief minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday reviewed the government’s security measures and held a meeting with religious leaders where he urged them to maintain peace. He has called a meeting of the cabinet on Thursday. “We’ll assess the situation. If the judgment comes on Thursday, we may cancel the cabinet and ask ministers to go to their respective districts,” Chavan said.
Education secretary Sanjay Kumar said a decision on whether to keep schools and colleges in Mumbai open on Thursday will be taken on Wednesday. The city police, meanwhile, have deployed cops from all 90 police stations and have decided to take help from the armed police force, Rapid Action Force, State Reserve Police Force, Riot Control Police and Quick Response Team. “We have spotted several sensitive areas and additional forces have already been put there,’’ an officer said.
Schools await order
While the government is making up its mind on whether to shut educational institutions on Thursday, many colleges in the city have unofficially given their students the option to skip lectures. Schools are waiting for a word from the government. “Parents, if worried, can choose not to send their children,” said Fr Francis Swamy, principal of Holy Family School in Andheri (East).
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