4 N Indians attacked in Mumbai ahead of MNS rally

Mumbai, Mar 24: As many as four north Indians were attacked by a group of suspected activists of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) here, ahead of a party rally this evening. The rally is first after a gag order was passed against MNS chief Raj Thackeray from holding public rally.

The rally is organized on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary. Raj Thackeray is slated to address the rally, to be held at Central Mumbai's Shivaji Park, the traditional venue of Shiv Sena rallies. The rally comes three weeks after the expiry of the last court order prohibiting Raj from delivering inflammatory anti-outsider speeches in public.

The north Indian victims have filed a complaint at Santacruz police station that they were attacked by MNS activists unprovoked with hockey sticks at Juhu beach after Holi celebrations.

“They asked where I was from. I told them I was from Bihar. They started beating me. They hit me on the head and on the back. I had to run away to save myself," said a complainant.

A case of rioting was registered in connection with the incident which took place last night, a senior police officer said and added that a passer-by was also injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, on Sunday actor Amitabh Bachchan downplayed Raj Thackeray"s remarks claiming that Amitabh has done more for UP than Mumbai.

"Random charges are random and they do not deserve my attention. This is a free country and every individual enjoys the liberty of free speech. The law of the land and its Constitution are supreme. Every Indian should be governed by that," said 'Big B".

ANI