Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said on Sunday that the situation in Mumbai was now under control and all efforts were being made to nab those responsible for the desecration of a bust of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's late wife.
"Our police force is making all efforts to catch those responsible for the incident, but our first priority will be law and order and then investigation," Deshmukh told reporters at his residence.
Deshmukh said the administration was on high alert since Sunday afternoon's chain of incidents, but declined to comment on the political angle, saying 'it is an emotional issue and I don't want to make a political comment on the matter'.
Deshmukh said 500 persons had been arrested all over the state following incidents of violence, including 46 in Mumbai. He said two persons were injured in the incidents, one in Nasik and a police sub inspector in suburban Andheri.
"Thirty five rasta rokos (road blocks) have been staged on Sunday and around 38 state transport buses damaged," Deshmukh added.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil also reviewed the situation in Maharashtra and offered assistance including despatch of additional forces.
The situation was reviewed at a meeting called by Patil and attended by Home Secretary V K Duggal and other senior officials.
After the meeting, special secretary (internal security) spoke to the Maharashtra chief secretary and the director general of police, official sources said.
"We reviewed the situation at the meeting and have offered all kinds of assistance to the state government including despatching extra forces, if necessary," Duggal told PTI, adding the state government has been asked to handle the situation 'carefully and sensitively' and not let it go out of control.
The Home Ministry was constantly in touch with the state government and on Sunday afternoon, the situation was reported to be in control, the sources said.
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