Nitish describes Thackeray's arrest as a belated move

Patna, Feb 13 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today described as a ''belated move'' the arrest of MNS chief Raj Thackeray for his "unsavoury" remarks against the Hindi-speaking people.

In a release here, Mr Kumar said Mr Thackeray should have been arrested much earlier as he had vitiated the atmoshphere of ''harmony and amity'' among various sections irrespective of their region, caste and creed.

'' It remains to be seen whether the Maharastra Government is serious to take stringent action against Raj Thackeray or it is just an eyewash to cool down the public anger over his remarks against the Hindi-speaking citizens of the country, '' he remarked.

Mr Kumar said he had earlier requested Maharstra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh to take strong action against Mr Thackeray and ensure the protection of Constitutional rights of the people to earn their livelihood in any part of the country.

UNI KKS SJC RN2118