No decision on Raj Thackeray's arrest yet: DGP

Director General of Police P S Pasricha on Wednesday said a decision on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's arrest was yet to be taken.

Speaking to media persons after attending a high-level meeting called by Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil at the state secretariat in Mumbai, he said the meeting was held to review the situation in Mumbai and the state, and to brief the deputy chief minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, on the current situation.

The state government has called for additional forces from the Centre, Pasricha said, adding that the police is capable of handling the situation and is well-prepared

for any eventuality.

He also asked the people of the state not to panic, stating that the police was well in control of the situation.

Pasricha added that the police had made 1,800 preventive arrests across Maharashtra since trouble broke out over 10 days ago.

The violence was allegedly started by MNS workers after their chief asked north Indians to behave themselves and respect the Maharashtrian culture if they wanted to stay in the state, especially Mumbai.