Nearly 1,600 persons alleged to be Shiv Sena workers were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday as the police cracked down on potential troublemakers ahead of the release of the Shah Rukh Khan movie My Name is Khan. The police also registered offences against 59 Sainiks under various sections of the Bombay Police Act and other acts for rioting,unlawful assembly and vandalism. Ten were sent to police custody till February 15 and 21 to judicial custody in Thane jail till 6 pm on Friday,day of the release. The police have also suggested basic guidelines for exhibitors and theatre owners,with whom they have been having repeated interactions. We have asked theatre owners to keep the first three rows empty and deploy private guards at both ends of the screen to ensure no one attempts to damage it. This is a review-based decision; in Tuesdays incidents,Sainiks tore the screen of a suburban theatre, said Himanshu Roy,JCP (Law and Order). Plainsclothed officers will be deployed inside theatres. In select large-screen theatres,we have also asked the owners to employ night vision CCTV cameras, he said. The police have made notes on senior leaders among those picked up. They include some corporators and a shakha pramukh who have been charged with instigating and planning attacks. We have sent 50 notices under section 149 of Criminal Procedure to senior functionaries in the party to prevent them from committing a cognisable offence, an officer said. COUNTING THE LOSSESRs 1,02,500: Police assessment of damage caused in eastern suburbs. Breakup Rs 90,000 for screen damage at Huma Adlabs,Kanjurmarg; Rs 12,500 for smashing of glass at Mehul Cinema,Mulund Rs 50,000 : South Mumbai damage bill; Metro theatre screen torn,stained The police set to send report to collectors offices with copy to PWD Shiv Sena will have to pay for the damages Rajkumar Vhatkar,DCP (Zone VII) Should the need arise,state will recover from the Sena damages caused to propertyRamesh Bagwe,MoS,Home
