MNS Leaders Detained Ahead of Mira Bhayander Rally in Thane

Thane, Jul 8 (PTI) Several leaders and activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were detained by police on Tuesday ahead of a planned protest rally in Mira Bhayander town of Thane district.

Tensions rose in Mira Bhayander as police took action against protestors who assembled for the rally organized by the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that permission had been granted for the rally, in which MNS leaders intended to participate. However, the party insisted on a particular route that posed law and order concerns.

State Minister Pratap Sarnaik criticized the police's actions, labeling them as "wrong" and not in accordance with government directives.

Social media platforms showed videos of numerous MNS activists, including women, packed inside police vans, though the number of detainees hasn't been disclosed.

Protestors loudly criticized the government for not allowing the rally.

Police also confined several activists in a banquet hall to prevent them from reaching the protest site.

MNS's Thane unit chief, Ravindra More, shared a video on social media showing activists detained inside the banquet hall, many holding black placards condemning the government. "Our peaceful protesters were stopped even before they could reach the site. This is not democracy," More wrote.

According to sources, police began detaining MNS workers early in the day before they could arrive at the protest venue from various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. "The preventive action was taken to maintain law and order," an official stated, declining to comment on using the banquet hall as a detention area.

Heavy police presence remains in Mira Bhayander as tensions persist.

Meanwhile, State Minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik condemned the police's prohibition of the rally, stating that the action was unwarranted and not directed by the government.

Speaking to reporters in Thane, Sarnaik asserted, "The police's action was completely wrong. The government has not issued any such instructions to suppress a peaceful march in support of Marathi interests." He added that he plans to discuss the issue with the chief minister.

"The manner in which the police stopped the march and detained people early in the morning is unjustified. If the protestors had been allowed to proceed peacefully, there would have been no law and order issue," he said.

Condemning the police action, the minister said he is also heading to join the rally. "This kind of attitude by the police is unwarranted, and if the Marathi-speaking people had sought permission for a peaceful march, the police should have allowed it," he stated.

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