An FIR has already been lodged against Raj for allegedly intimidating North Indians from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
A legal source close to the MNS chief said Raj is likely to seek anticipatory bail against the arrest.

The Central government has sought report from the state authorities about the steps being taken to maintain law and order. Union home secretary Madhukar Gupta spoke to the state chief secretary about the situation.
The state home department is moving very cautiously and is studying the legal aspects of the case against Raj.
Any precipitate action by the state government can provoke further violence in the city, which it wants to avoid at any cost.

However, the fact that the state government means business this time was indicated by detention of MNS spokesperson Shishir Shinde on Tuesday.

Similarly, former Shiv Sena leader turned Congressman Sanjay Nirupam too was arrested when he tried to take out a “peace march” from Ganesh Chowk in Dadar to Raj Thackeray’s residence at Shivaji Park.

Since Monday evening, the police have arrested 92 persons including 73 from the MNS and 19 from the SP for indulging in violence, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad said. More arrests are expected and the police are not taking any chances.

Barring one or two incidents of violence, the metropolis and adjoining Thane city were peaceful and normal life remained uninterrupted.

The violence against North Indians was sparked off by Raj’s outburst against the migrants and labelling “Chhath Puja” celebrations as “natak” (drama) meant for show of strength.

He had also launched tirade against Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for favouring his home state UP over Maharashtra.

The television footages of MNS workers mercilessly beating poor taxi-drivers and damaging their vehicles on Sunday worked against Raj and his splinter outfit as almost all political parties slammed the MNS for violence.

The Congress, the NCP, the BJP and even the Shiv Sena criticised MNS for targeting North Indians.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has minced no words in condemning the attacks on North Indians, but at the same time he berated SP’s Mumbai leader Abu Azmi for politicising the issue and his intemperate comments.
Deshmukh has already ordered a probe into the violence by the state Director General of Police (DGP) and the Mumbai police commissioner.

Nevertheless, MNS leaders outside Mumbai continued to issue inflammatory statements against North Indians. A Nasik MNS leader stated that Mumbai-bound trains from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh will not be allowed to enter Maharashtra if the SP leaders made provocative statements in future.