Shiv Sainiks attack theatres
Govt promises full security for ‘My Name is Khan’ screening
Shiv Sainiks on Tuesday attacked and damaged booking offices of two cinema halls in Mumbai suburbs to block the release of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name is Khan’, even as the Maharashtra government mobilised strong security to ensure a smooth release of the film on Friday.
A group of Shiv Sena vandals broke into Mehul theatre in the north eastern suburb of Mulund while another group targetted the Shreyas theatre in Ghatkopar, which are to screen the movie from February 12.
Groups of the Sena activists were also seen protesting and shouting slogans in Kanjurmarg, Bandra, Khar and other parts of the metropolis, despite the party’s formal stand that it would not disrupt the release of the movie.
Over a dozen Sainiks were arrested from Mulund, and 24 were detained in Khatkopar and Kanjurmarg in connection with the protests during the day. The protesters threatened the cinema hall owners to stop the advance bookings or face the consequences. Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray has described the latest protests as “spontaneous” response by the people.
Protection assured
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has already declared that full protection would be given to the film distributors and exhibitors in Mumbai and Maharashtra and he himself would watch the movie. On Tuesday, he asked the Mumbai police chief D Sivanandan to leave no stone unturned to ensure smooth exhibition of the film.
The film’s director Karan Johar called on Sivanandan at the police headquarters and sought police protection to multiplexes and cinema halls where the movie is slated to be released on Friday. “We are very happy with the assurance from Mumbai cops. They have given us personal assurance that everything will be okay and security will be provided in every theatre. There is nothing to worry about,” Johar said. He was accompanied by multiplex owners and distributors.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Himanshu Roy said anybody attempting to disrupt the film in any manner would be dealt with “very firmly.”
“We shall also frisk and search suspicious persons coming to view the movie to prevent any untoward incident inside the cinema halls,” Roy told a news conference.
Security would be provided at 63 cinema halls which would screen the film from Friday. The state government has also called in five companies of the SRPF (state reserve police) to deal with any situation.
