Maha police on alert as Raj Thackeray's deadline to remove loudspeakers from mosques ends today
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Maharashtra: As the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) deadline for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques ends today, the Maharashtra Police has reportedly canceled all leaves of the police personnel.
The police said they are on the alert to tackle any untoward situation.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, who chaired meetings with senior officials of his department during the day, said leaders of all communities have been spoken to last month in order to maintain peace in the city.
"Anti socials are being watched. Strict action will be taken against law breakers. Quick Response Team (QRT) and Riot Control Police (RCP) are on high alert. A company of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) will be deployed in sensitive areas," the CP said.
As per police, notices have been issued to almost 900 persons under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provisions.
The move comes after MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday reiterated his call to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from Wednesday if loudspeakers weren't removed.
In an official statement released Tuesday, the MNS chief said, "I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeakers blaring the azan; in those very places, play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers! That's when they will realise, the hindrance of these loudspeakers."
Mr. Thackeray has been asserting that his protest against loudspeakers is not on religious but on social grounds and that the recitations from mosques are leading to noise pollution.
In a video shared from Panvel, an MNS worker said they were prepared to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers but did not do so after three mosques in the area kept loudspeakers off during the morning prayers.
Meanwhile, Aurangabad Police has registered a case against Mr. Thackeray for allegedly delivering a provocative speech two days ago.
Mumbai Police has issued a notice to the MNS chief under Section 149 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), invoked to prevent a cognizable offence.
The face-off between Mr Thackeray's party and the state government helmed by his cousin Uddhav Thackeray comes ahead of the civic elections in Maharashtra, in which the BJP is attempting to get the control of the Mumbai civic body.