Maharashtra Sadan attacked in New Delhi

Attacks against north Indians in Maharashtra echoed in the national capital on Monday when around 25 people indulged in violence at the Maharashtra Sadan, demanding immediate arrest of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.

Shouting slogans like 'Marathis Go Back', the alleged activists of Rashtravadi Shiv Sena broke flower pots, glass doors and window panes of the Maharashtra Sadan at around 12:30 p.m.

Fooling security guards by entering the building in small groups, the attackers suddenly started damaging the property near the reception counter.

The protestors also raised slogans against the Maharashtra government and Thackeray.

"They came inside the building in small groups. Nobody has any clue. They suddenly started shouting slogans and indulged in violence," Pramod Kolate, an official of the Sadan who was at the reception, said.

Resident Commissioner Apurva Chandra has already apprised Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil about the incident besides lodging a complaint with police.

Sources said the Maharashtra government is going to approach the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi police for enhancing the security of the building.

During Diwali, sources claimed, security was enhanced at the building but was withdrawn later.

Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut, who visited the Sadan after the attack, termed the incident an 'attack on Maharashtra'.

"We have not started this fire. All political parties should come together in such circumstances. Whoever did this, will have to pay the price," he said.