Patnaik under political fire for Mumbai violence

Maharashtra home department has proposed the transfer of Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik who is facing flak over handling of the August 11 violence at Azad Maidan. Perpetrators of violence-will be hauled up: RR Patil

Maharashtra home department has proposed the transfer of Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik who is facing flak over handling of the August 11 violence at Azad Maidan.

"The home department has submitted a proposal to transfer Patnaik," a senior official told PTI.

The proposal, which was submitted three days ago, is awaiting chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's consent, the official said.

Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have demanded Patnaik's resignation over the way he handled the situation during the August 11 violence.

Patnaik has defended his handling of the riot.

File photo of Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik. HT photo

Defying the Mumbai police, which refused him permission for a rally from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday led his supporters' march against the August 11 violence during a demonstration against alleged atrocities on Muslims in Assam and Myanmar.

"I am standing here to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the police force and the media and to demand immediate resignation of home minister RR Patil and police commissioner Arup Patnaik," he said.

A policeman stands near a torched vehicle after a protest against Assam riots turned violent in Mumbai. PTI