Centre rushes more forces to M'rashtra

With violence following Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's campaign against north Indians spreading to new areas, additional central paramilitary forces were on Tuesday rushed to the state to control the situation.

"The Home Ministry is providing central forces to the state government as requested by it. Rapid Action Force (RAF) units are already positioned in Mumbai," a senior MHA official said.

He said the Centre was in "close and continuous touch" with the state government.

The Home Ministry has advised Maharashtra to make all necessary arrangements to ensure that peace was maintained all over the state and activities of mischief-mongers were effectively checked, he added.

Violence spread to Nasik where MNS activists attacked fruit vendors hailing from north India on Tuesday. Reports said that Pune, Aurangabad, Nanded, Latur and Amravati too witnessed some trouble.

Incidents of violence targeting north Indians in Mumbai started on February 3 after MNS leader Raj Thackeray launched a verbal tirade against the community.