MES convention a damp squib

As against the claim that over 50,000 people would turn up, about 1,000 had gathered for the convention Virat Marathi Sanskruti Darshan (exhibition of giant Marathi culture).

Though the administration had given permission only to hold a cultural event, the speakers attacked the State government and its policies on the boundary issue with Maharashtra. The police, who were present at the venue, chose to remain silent rather than directing the organisers not to make provocative speeches.

None of the guidelines issued by the police as well as the district administration were followed at the venue.

When asked about the violation by the organisers, Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang told Deccan Herald that her officials had drawn her attention to them. She would view the video and initiate action against those who had violated the guidelines.