Patil confident of tackling repercussions after Raj's arrest

Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said the state government and police are ready to face and tackle any repercussions or eventuality following the arrest of two political leaders-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray and city Samajwadi Party president Abu Asim Azmi.

Talking to reporters after the arrest of the two leaders, Mr Patil said, the police are capable of maintaining law and order in the state and anybody who crosses the limits by making provocative statements will be dealt with tough action.

Police and government cannot be a mute spectator if somebody makes provocative statements for political benefits, he added.

Mr Patil denied that the arrest was done under the influence of central government and added that even the deployment of additional paramilitary forces was done after consulting the state.

Both the leaders will continue to face the ban till March 25, from holding press conferences or public meetings and later the decision would be taken depending on their approach, whether the ban should be lifted or not, he said.

Mr Patil also said he had held a meeting with DGP P S Pasricha and city police commissioner D N Jadhav in the morning and a total of 1,800 people have been arrested so far.

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