Arrest, prosecute Raj Thackeray, supporters: Left

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Strongly condemning the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists' attack on north Indian railway job aspirants, the Left parties today demanded the immediate arrest of MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his supporters and their prosecution, saying any leniency would harm the nation's unity and integrity.

While the CPI(M) leaders termed the incident ''shameful and shocking'', demanding stringent action against the guilty, the CPI came out with a stern statement that the attack was pre-planned and is part of the continued parochial and devisive campaign.

Reviving their offensive against north Indians, MNS workers thrashed north Indian aspirants for the Railway Recruitment Board entrance exam for the Western region in Mumbai yesterday.

CPI(M) senior leaders Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat said both the Centre and the state government failed to discharge their constitutional obligation to provide security to the citizens of the country.

Mr Basudeb Acharia(CPI-M) claimed that the state government was informed about the impending attack, but still police failed to act.

The CPI Central Secratariat said in a statment the attack was aimed at disrupting peace in the state and create a divide among the local populace and those who came from other parts of the country.

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