Mumbai Police are preparing for the return of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs in Maharashtra's political crisis

The Mumbai Police issued orders on Sunday extending the duty hours of all police station staff until further notice, in light of the possibility that renegade Shiv Sena MLAs could begin returning to Mumbai on Monday. Since prominent Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde went missing and eventually emerged in Guwahati with numerous rebels, the state has been thrown into political turmoil. As the days progressed, more and more MLAs were spotted attending him in Guwahati, while on the ground, Shiv Sainiks became increasingly enraged. Protests and incidences of law and order disruption have also been recorded in several districts of Maharashtra.

 

On Sunday, reports began to circulate that the MLAs may begin returning to Mumbai on Monday. Although the police have not received official confirmation, preparations have already begun to guarantee that the city's law and order are not affected regardless of what happens. "We have increased the duty hours of all personnel assigned to police stations from eight to twelve hours until further notice." Bandobast has already been deployed around the city and will remain in place for the foreseeable future," said Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Sanjay Latkar.

 

Latkar disputed claims that all police leave had been cancelled, claiming that no such orders had been received. The police, on the other hand, have already secured the area outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, as well as all highways heading into the city. The Mumbai Police have been alerted to be extra cautious, and they are in contact with the airport authorities as well as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

 

Furthermore, police stations have contacted political party employees from all parties and advised them not to take the law into their own hands for any reason. These sessions have a dual focus, with an emphasis on the ground as well as social media. "We met with party workers on Sunday and instructed them to exhibit restraint if and when the MLAs returned to Mumbai." Especially considering there have already been isolated incidences of property destruction. "They have been told that any offenders would face severe punishment," a South Region police officer who was present at one of these sessions on Sunday stated. Another officer stationed in suburban Mumbai stated that party members had been urged to reflect before posting anything on social media.

 

 

 

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