Police prevent politicians from visiting Bhiwandi

Thane, July 8 (UNI) The police here today stopped leaders of all political parties including senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde from visiting the communally-sensitive town of Bhiwandi in this district of Maharashtra, which was the scene of bloody riots, arson and killing on Wednesday, in order not to aggravate the fluid situation there.

Mr Munde, was scheduled to visit the powerloom town along with Atul Bhatkalkar and newly-elected MLC Sanjay Kelkar, to review the situation there at about 1500 hrs but his visit was cancelled later.

Though the party officially did not give any reason for the cancellation, informed sources told this reporter that the police had advised Mr Munde not to visit the town as the situation there is still tense. Mr Munde' visit would have aggravated the situation, sources said.

Considering that Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi's visit to Bhiwandi had worsened the situation and led to the death of two cops, the police did not take chances and kept the politicians at bay.

Even Home Minister R R Patil, who had visited here last evening, did not visit Bhiwandi. When he was asked about it by the reporters, Mr Patil replied that there was no need to visit there.

Despite the Bhiwandi assembly is represented by the Shiv Sena MLA Yogesh Patil, all the Sena leaders were also prevented from visiting the town.

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