Post date: Nov 17, 2012 8:59:16 PM
Police literally fortifies Mumbai after the demise of iconic founder of Hindu radical outfit Shiv Sena, Bal Keshav Thackeray, fondly addressed as Balasaheb due to prolonged illness.
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (NOVEMBER 17, 2012) (ANI) - Local administration of Mumbai in India's western state of Maharashtra has almost fortified the city ahead of the cremation of iconic founder of Hindu radical outfitShiv Sena, Bal Keshav Thackeray.
Mumbai's Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh disclosed this to the media on Saturday (November 17).Earlier in the day, Thackeray, fondly addressed as Balasaheb breathed his last around 3.30 in the afternoon after prolonged illness.
Assuring tight security in the city, Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh appealed to the locals not to believe and spread rumours so as to maintain peace and social harmony.
"All our senior officers and the administration have been alerted and they would be patrolling from time to time. Through the medium of media and on behalf of entire Mumbai city, I appeal to the people not to believe or spread rumours. We have deployed extra security in sensitive areas. We have telephonically communicated many social and political leaders so as to ensure that peace would prevail," said Satyapal Singh.
He also mentioned that all necessary measures have already been initiated to thwart any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra state's Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan also expressed grief at the death of Thackeray.
He termed Balasaheb's absence as painful and major loss to the country.
"With the demise of Balasaheb Thackeray, Maharashtra has lost its leading and experienced leader. It is an immense loss for the country's political fraternity. He had a multifaceted personality," said Chavan
Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and founder of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party died at the age of 86 years.
Simultaneously, addressing the mediapersons in Mumbai, senior leader of Shiv Sena, Ramdas Kadam said that Thackeray would remain in the hearts of the people and would be remembered for his ideologies.
He said keeping in mind the sad occasion, the people should not indulge in any violence and spelt out the formalities planned on Sunday ahead of Thackeray's final journey.
"I have appealed everyone to maintain peace and harmony. I believe that Bala sahib will take a reincarnation," said Kadam
Sharing his grief over the death of Thackeray, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of eastern state of Odisha conveyed his deep condolences to the family members of Thackeray.
He was speaking to the mediapersons at Bhubaneswar.
"I would like to express my deep condolences on the demise of Shri Bal Thackeray and extend condolences to the members of his family, his many friends and admirers," said Patnaik.
Echoing similar views, India's veteran social activist and anti-graft crusader Anna Hazaretermed Bal Thackeray as an iconic leader for the youth.
Hazare said this at his native and model village, Ralegan Siddhi, situated near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra state.
"It is a great loss for Maharashtra and people of this country because throughout his life, he inspired the youth with his leadership. He caught the nerve and the language of the youth due to which youngsters of Maharashtra and the country got attracted to him," said Hazare.
Thackeray, the founder and president of the hardliner Shiv Sena, was one of the most prominent and outspoken figures of India's Hindu nationalist movement, and rose to prominence with his fiery outbursts against immigration in India's richest city.
He was as famous for his saffron-coloured robes, white beard and tinted sunglasses as his firebrand rhetoric.