Azmi proposes to start self-defence course for migrants

Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief and MP Abu Asim Azmi today proposed to start self-defence courses for migrants from north India and also to float a helpline for them in the state.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Azmi alleged that he suspects the ruling Congress-NCP government to have a secret alliance with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray as it has failed to take any action against him even after his provocative speech at a rally at Shivaji Park last Saturday.

He announced setting up of a telephone helpline for intimated taxi drivers and also proposed to train north Indians in using 'lathis' for self defence.

In the rally, Mr Thackeray had accused the north Indians of trying to ''invade'' the state's culture by intimidating the locals.

He had asked everyone to speak in Marathi with the pre-dominantly north Indian taxi drivers and report the matter to the MNS if they do not comply.

He would be launching an agitation against the MNS leader at the historic August Kranti Maidan in the next couple of days.

Mr Azmi would file a criminal defamation case against Raj for referring to him as a 1993 serial bomb blasts accused, when the Supreme Court had discharged him in the case.

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