MUMBAI: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi landed on Shiv Sena's home turf on Friday amid a tight security cover that ensured a virtual
curfew-like atmosphere in the city.
Security considerations notwithstanding, Rahul Gandhi took a local train instead of a helicopter to travel from Vile Parle to Ghatkopar.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi landed at the Santa Cruz Old Airport in Juhu at about 11.20am and drove to the Bhaidas Hall, barely a kilometre away, where he was scheduled to address 1,100 college students and youth.
A couple of kilometres from Bhaidas Hall, a group of women activists led by Shiv Sena corporator Rajul Patel attempted to break the security barricades but they were whisked off to the police station and put under detention.
Violating prohibitory orders, Shiv Sainiks had also gathered in large groups in Andheri, Vile Parle, Jogeshwari and Ghatkopar.
Waiting to receive him were chief minister Ashok Chavan, Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee office-bearers, local elected representatives and other prominent persons.
There were heavy security arrangements that saw traffic being stopped in and around the Juhu-Vile Parle area.
Security personnel arrested several Shiv Sena protesters and thwarted all attempts by activists to greet him with black flags because he had "insulted" Marathi people and Maharashtra.
The Mumbai Police efforts were supplemented by commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force and other forces.
In the afternoon, Rahul will go to Ghatkopar, the north-eastern part of Mumbai where the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slums are located.
He will garland a statue of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar there, pay homage and then interact with select slum youths.
A spokesperson said both the meetings were organised keeping in mind Rahul Gandhi's desire to meet youth and students from different strata of society.
After his brief visit, lasting just about four hours, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to go to Pondicherry.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi landed at the Santa Cruz Old Airport in Juhu at about 11.20am and drove to the Bhaidas Hall, barely a kilometre away, where he was scheduled to address 1,100 college students and youth.
A couple of kilometres from Bhaidas Hall, a group of women activists led by Shiv Sena corporator Rajul Patel attempted to break the security barricades but they were whisked off to the police station and put under detention.
Violating prohibitory orders, Shiv Sainiks had also gathered in large groups in Andheri, Vile Parle, Jogeshwari and Ghatkopar.
Waiting to receive him were chief minister Ashok Chavan, Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee office-bearers, local elected representatives and other prominent persons.
There were heavy security arrangements that saw traffic being stopped in and around the Juhu-Vile Parle area.
Security personnel arrested several Shiv Sena protesters and thwarted all attempts by activists to greet him with black flags because he had "insulted" Marathi people and Maharashtra.
The Mumbai Police efforts were supplemented by commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force and other forces.
In the afternoon, Rahul will go to Ghatkopar, the north-eastern part of Mumbai where the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slums are located.
He will garland a statue of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar there, pay homage and then interact with select slum youths.
A spokesperson said both the meetings were organised keeping in mind Rahul Gandhi's desire to meet youth and students from different strata of society.
After his brief visit, lasting just about four hours, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to go to Pondicherry.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment