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Authorities tightened security in the country's commercial capital and elsewhere in Maharashtra on Thursday ahead of a bandh (general strike) called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday, March 1, to protest against the violence in neighbouring Gujarat.
The measures follow a security review late on Wednesday by Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who holds the home portfolio, at a meeting attended by senior police and intelligence officers, including Director General of Police Subhash P Malhotra.
Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) V N Deshmukh reviewed security in the city on Thursday morning and, according to sources, senior officers remained in touch with the home department.
Additional deployment has been effected at several 'sensitive' places in the city and patrolling has been intensified.
Railway Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria also reviewed the security arrangements on the suburban rail network and directed the General Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, VHP state secretary Vyankatesh Abdeo said they were determined to go ahead with the strike and appealed to all political parties, 'Hindutva' forces and other socio-cultural organisations to support it.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to support the action. The party's Mumbai unit chief Vinod Tawde said, "We are with the people and hence we have decided to support the bandh call of the VHP."
UNI
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