Shiv Sena calls for arrest of Imam for attack on media

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) The Shiv Sena has called for immediate action against those involved in the attack on mediapersons by Jama Masjid Imam and his followers outside the Prime Minister's residence today.

Demanding arrest of the Imam and others involved in the incident, Delhi State Shiv Sena head Jai Bhagwan Goyal said it was a highly irresponsible act and if strict action was not taken, it would lead to repetition of such incidents.

He also claimed the ''audacious act'' of the Imam and his followers outside Prime Minister's house was a result of the government's minorities' appeasement policy.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and People's Rights Front president Abhimanyu Gulati has dashed off a letter to Home Minister Shivraj Patil calling for a CBI enquiry into the incident.

Mr Gulati said the outrageous behaviour of the Imam and his followers was uncalled for and nothing new as they often indulge in ''some nuisance or the other which disturbs peace and tranquility.'' Today's attack on the media, which was one of the pillars of democracy, that too outside the PM's residence showed their disdain and disregard for democratic institutions, which was dangerous, Mr Gulati added.

The Delhi Pradesh National Panthers Party also flayed the attack terming it ''an outburst by a frustrated bunch of fundamentalists which should not be tolerated in a democratic and secular society.'' UNI AN VD RAI1706