Mumbai violence: BJP slams Maharashtra govt for 'complete' security failure

Slamming the Maharashtra government for "complete failure" of security and intelligence network, BJP on Sunday said the authorities there have a lot to answer about the hooliganism at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

It demanded the arrest of those who took law into their own hands in Mumbai on Saturday.

Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitaraman said the government there "allowed this to happen" despite been informed by the Maharashtra ATS about infiltration of terrorist groups into the state.

"It is a complete failure of the security and intelligence network of the Maharashtra government...I think, they have a lot to answer as to how they allowed this kind of hooliganism to happen in the heart of the city creating a fear psychosis among the people," Sitaraman told reporters in London.

She said had intelligence been sufficient, such an incident could have been avoided as people came from all across armed with iron rods and hockey sticks.

Two persons were killed and 14 were injured when a protest in Mumbai's Azad Maidan against Assam riots turned violent with demonstrators torching vehicles, including media vans, and pelting stones, prompting the police to fire after baton charge and use of tear gas and rubber bullets failed to disperse the unruly mob.

She, however, maintained the police despite of being provoked remained quite and watched even as several of them were injured and women constables were molested.

The Mumbai BJP unit would be meeting Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan to demand the arrest of the attackers, she said, adding, "We condemn it".

The party also took on the state government for "failure" to check the violence at Azad Maidan to which it had earlier denied access to "peaceful" Team Anna protestors besides workers of the party.

She also condemned the attacks on northeastern people residing in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha.

Asked about reports of Hindu pilgrims from Pakistan seeking asylum in India, Sitaraman said, "Pakistan government should ensure protection of minorities" as the conditions there were "serious".

To a poser if Team Anna's move to field candidates in next year's assembly elections in Delhi will have an impact on the party, she said, "It will have an impact on all political parties and voters. But it is up to the voters to see who they accept".

The party spokesperson also appeared to ridicule at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the arrest of a man for asking her a question at a rally on August 8 at the former Maoist stronghold of Belpahari in West Midnapore district.

"At the political level, giving answer is our duty. Answers will have to be given," she said.

Siladitya Chowdhury, dubbed as Maoist by Mamata when he asked her what steps she was taking to help farmers, was arrested on Saturday.