Mumbai violence: Home minister warns of stern action

Condemning the violence in Mumbai, Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Saturday warned of strong action against rumour mongers and appealed to the people to maintain peace.

Condemning the violence in Mumbai, Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Saturday warned of strong action against rumour mongers and appealed to the people to maintain peace.

Shinde also offered full cooperation to Maharashtra government in dealing with any situation arising out of the death of two persons following violent protests over recent riots in Assam.

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"I appeal to the people to maintain peace. There is peace even in Assam. No one should spread any rumours. We will take strong action against rumour mongers," he told reporters in New Delhi.

"I have spoken to (Maharashtra) chief minister, deputy chief minister and (Mumbai) police commissioner. Two people died and 46 injured, including 36 policemen. There is peace now. If they need any help, we will fully cooperate. I condemn the attack on the media and police," he said.

Two persons were killed and 14 were injured when a protest in Mumbai's Azad Naidan against Assam riots turned violent with demonstrators torching vehicles, including media vans, and pelting stones, prompting the police to fire in the air and use batons to the disperse the unruly mob.