Law regarding political agitation to come into force from today

Mumbai, Oct 24 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir has approved an ordinance, to amend the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, that would hold political parties and its leaders responsible for any damage to public property caused during their agitation, and would come into force from today.

A decision to this effect was taken in the cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh two days ago, following which the state home department had submitted a draft before the governor who signed it yesterday night, according to the sources in mantralaya.

According to the ordinance, the district collectors will have the authority to recover the damages caused during the agitation and declare the area (of violence) concerned as an insecure zone. On failure to pay for the damage caused, the leaders will have to face jail term.

The ordinance was moved by the state in view of the violence unleashed by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers in several parts of the state after the arrest of their leader Raj Thackeray.

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