No entry: mob rejects VIPs

Mobs incensed by the descration of Dr Ambedkar's statue burning vehicles at Ghatkopar, Mumbai. JULY 11: Angry Republican Party of India ...

Mobs incensed by the descration of Dr Ambedkar8217;s statue burning vehicles at Ghatkopar, Mumbai.

JULY 11: Angry Republican Party of India RPI activists today prevented Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and his deputy Gopinath Munde from entering Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, the site of police firing in which 10 people were killed. Chief minister8217;s motorcade was later booed at the Rajawadi Municipal Hospital also, where he went to enquire about the injured. He was forced to beat a hasty retreat.

Senior police officers had advised Joshi against entering the colony fearing a flare-up. The CM, accompanied by BJP minister Raj Purohit, city BJP president Kirit Somaiya and Shiv Sena minister Liladhar Dake, reached the colony at around 5.50 pm. They discussed the situation with senior police officers, including Police Commissioner Subhash Malhotra. A massive crowd had already gathered around the statue. Even as the CM started walking towards the statue, the mob started shouting anti-police and anti-government slogans forcing him to retrace his steps.

At the hospital, an equally large crowd was present since morning. Hospital corridors were full of angry RPI workers.

No sooner did the CM8217;s fleet enter the hospital compound, a few women activists threw themselves across the road, while rest of the crowd started raising anti-government slogans. Joshi got off from his car for a few seconds, but he as he heard the CM go back8217; refrain grow louder, he asked his driver to move out immediately.

Later, at the north-east police control room, Joshi announced that the Rs 1 lakh compensation to the relatives of those killed in the police firing announced earlier by in the Assembly has been doubled. Munde announced that for some days all statues of important personalities in the state will be guarded. They appealed to the people not to participate in the Mumbai bandh tomorrow and the state-wide bandh the day after, called by the RPI. Munde assured that those responsible for defiling Babasaheb Ambedkar8217;s statue at Ramabai Nagar will be traced soon and punished. When asked if Joshi had informed the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray, about the police firing, the CM replied in negative and said he would talk to him on Saturday morning.

Earlier in the day Guardian minister for Mumbai, Prakash Mehta and minister of state for home, Gajanan Kirtikar visited the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar.

The three ministers had gone there soon after the news of the firing spread. Senior Congress leader Vasant Chavan had also visited the spot with some RPI activities but was not allowed to enter the colony.