Mumbai police detain MNS workers outside Raj Thackeray’s home; 9 held in Pune

Police deployment outside Thackeray’s residence was enhanced and barricades were placed on the road for smooth traffic movement

Mumbai police on May 4 detained a number of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers gathered outside party chief Raj Thackeray's residence in Mumbai, a day after the latter urged people to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers wherever they hear loudspeakers blaring 'azaan', officials said.

However, MNS functionaries Sandeep Deshpande and Santosh Dhuri managed to quickly leave the spot in a vehicle when a police team tried to catch them.

A female police constable fell down while taking action against MNS workers outside Thackeray's home in the Shivaji Park area.

In Pune also, eight to nine MNS workers were detained when they came out of a Hanuman temple after performing 'aarti', the officials said.

Heavy police security was deployed in Mumbai in the wake of Thackeray's call for “silencing” loudspeakers atop mosques.

Police deployment outside Thackeray's residence 'Shivtirth' in the Shivaji Park area was also enhanced and barricades were placed on the road for smooth traffic movement.

MNS functionaries Sandeep Deshpande and Santosh Dhuri were earlier served notices under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Section 149 (for preventing cognisable offences).