Mumbai Police arrests Bhim Army activists; Imposes sec 144

After Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was put under house arrest, it led to huge chaos in Malad, Mumbai.

Mumbai Police on Saturday morning arrested Cultural activist Comrade Subodh More, who is a member of Jati Anta Sangharsh Samiti (JASS) along with Maharashtra Bhim Army chief Ashok Kamble. 

More and Kamble were arrested by Mumbai Police along with several other Bhim Army activists. Their phones were taken away from them and they were taken to an undisclosed location. Later, the police imposed section 144 under 500-meter radar disallowing three or more people to assemble in a group. 

Subodh More along with Ashok Kamble was arrested from Malad East around 10:30 in the morning while they were on his way to meet Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad. Moreover, their whereabouts are unknown,” JASS Convenor Shailendra Kamble told Mumbai Live. 

Azad is on his first-time visit to Maharashtra till January 4 and had scheduled a public meeting at Worli’s Jamboree Maidan on Saturday. However, with his house arrest, the event was cancelled. Pune Police has also denied permission to Azad for visiting Pune. The Bhim Army chief had scheduled his visit to Savitribai Phule University in Pune for his interaction with the students. 

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad on Saturday met Azad at Hotel Manali where the Bhim Army chief is kept under detention. Awhad expressed his displeasure and alleged that his fundamental rights have been “snatched”.

I met the Bhim Army chief in the hotel where police have kept him under detention which is illegal. No law can give police the authority to stop him from moving as a free citizen. His fundamental right to speak, express, and move freely have been snatched,” NCP leader Jitendra Awhad tweeted.

Also Read - Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s Mumbai Rally Cancelled

Earlier, Mumbai Police had denied permission to Bhim Army chief for holding a rally in the city but Azad was adamant to carry out the public meeting anyway. Azad is locked in his hotel room with almost 10 policemen outside his door.