After a scuffle broke out between two communities, heavy security has been deployed in the Mira Road area adjacent to Mumbai. Police have arrested a person who was seen provoking people in a viral video on social media.
Abu Shehma Shaikh was arrested section 153A, 505(2) of IPC & section 66c of IT Act at Naya Nagar Police Station regarding his Facebook Post.
In his viral video, Shaikh was heard saying, "This is not UP, this is Mumbai." He then goes on to make communal remarks which have landed him in trouble.
Today, a total of 13 accused were presented before the Thane Court on Tuesday. Among them, four were minors, who were subsequently sent to the Juvenile Centre. Abu Shaikh, the individual associated with Facebook video, and the remaining eight accused were remanded to police custody for 2 and 5 days, respectively, as confirmed by a police official.
RAF, MSF and SRPF deployed in the area
Local police, Mumbai Police, Palghar Police, Thane Rural Police, RAF (Rapid Action Force), MSF (Maharashtra Security Force) and SRPF have been deployed in the area.
DCP Jayant Bajbale added "Several videos of the clash between two communities in Mira Road adjacent to Mumbai went viral on social media. A video of a person named Abu Shaikh went viral where he was seen provoking people. The person who posted this video has been arrested and Mira Bhayander police have sought two days of custody." A scuffle broke out between two communities at Mira Road on the night of January 21.
Shrikant Pathak, Additional Commissioner of Police at Mira Bhayandar appealed to everyone to maintain peace in the area.
"We are investigating the incident. Action will be taken against the accused only. I appeal to everybody to maintain peace. The Police have taken timely action. We are investigating the entire matter by looking at the CCTV footage. There are small miscreants which still try to create nuisance," he said.
While no untoward incident was reported on Tuesday even as an eerie calm prevailed in the area with tension hanging thick in the air amid tight security. Meanwhile political leaders and senior police officials appealed to citizens to stay calm and not to succumb to the evil designs of rumour mongers in order to retain normalcy and help maintain law and order.