Many detained near Shivaji Park as Mumbai Police prevent protest against CEC
Some allege that people merely standing or walking in the area were also taken into custody
Mumbai saw tense protests on Sunday as Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) backed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. The demonstrations were organized in solidarity with CJP's campaign for the CEC's removal, as the party held similar events in New Delhi.
In Mumbai, police blocked a planned protest at Shivaji Park, arresting several protesters and political workers to prevent the gathering. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray vowed a Maharashtra-wide strike if party workers faced police brutality. He climbed onto a police van, warning against touching his supporters, and insisted on their immediate release.
MLA Anil Parab also confronted the police, urging them not to interfere with Shiv Sainiks. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant criticized the police action, claiming that their right to protest was being curtailed. MNS leader Amit Thackeray questioned the detention of CJP supporters, while MNS workers protested against the arrests too.
Around 300 protesters were detained at Shivaji Park, and Aaditya and Amit Thackeray later visited the police station to request the release of detained youths. The Thackeray brothers promised that protests would escalate throughout Maharashtra and pledged not to tolerate a dictatorship in the country.
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