No decision on Raj Thackeray's arrest yet: Pasricha

Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) Director General of Police (DGP) P S Pasricha today said no decision has still been taken on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's arrest.

Speaking to newspersons after attending a high-level meeting called by Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil at Mantralaya here this morning, he said the meeting was held to review the situation in the city and the state and give a brief to the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, on the current situation in the state.

Dr Pasricha said they had called for additional forces from the Centre adding that the police were capable of handling the situation and that they were well prepared for any eventuality.

He also asked the people of the state not to panic stating that the police was well in control of the situation.

Dr Pasricha said the police had made 1800 preventive arrests across the state over the past ten days since trouble broke out.

The violence was allegedly started by MNS workers after their chief asked North Indians to behave themselves and respect the culture of Maharashtra if they wanted to stay in the state especially Mumbai.

UNI JN/GS MAZ MS RK1524