Author: Sachin Haralkar / Vikas Shrivastav
Publication: Mumbai Mirror
Date: February 17, 2008
URL: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=15&contentid=200802172008021702160772690ccb8fd
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[Note from Hindu Vivek Kendra: It would seem
that the Samajwadi Party was the instigator of the violence in Mumbai, and
it would also seem that they have deliberately done so.]
Mehtab Aalam, the sight of whose blood-soaked
face probably intensified the violent clashes between Maharashtra Navnirman
Sena and Samajwadi Party workers, has been arrested.
Aalam was paraded on stage by SP leader Abu
Asim Azmi during the 'Bharat Bachao' rally at Shivaji Park on February 3,
the day the clashes broke. The next day, the picture of a bleeding Aalam,
a resident of Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, appeared in almost all newspapers.
Aalam had been injured in an alleged attack
by MNS workers, and police suspect that the post-rally violent incidents were
triggered after he was produced on stage.
SP leaders had made provocative speeches at
the rally after Aalam's arrival and threatened retaliation if MNS workers
continued violent acts. According to SI Vilas Gurav of Shivaji Park police
station, Aalam was a complainant in an assault case, but he himself was wanted
in another rioting case. "Police had been on the lookout for Aalam. His
photographs in newspapers and video clips of the rally were circulated to
police stations. He was one of the key persons wanted by us," Gurav told
Mumbai Mirror. During investigations, police identified Aalam and found his
whereabouts. Special teams formed at various police stations rounded him up
on Saturday evening. Aaalam has been charged with rioting (Section 146 IPC)
and conspiracy (120-B) and will be produced in court on Sunday.
A city newspaper had published photos of Aalam
first assaulting some MNS workers at Dadar and then getting beaten up by MNS
workers. The sight of his blood-soaked face and clothes allegedly instigated
SP workers at the rally, who resorted to violence, police said.
