Mumbai: Tension gripped Mumbai on Tuesday in anticipation of violence following possible arrest of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
Meanwhile, fresh incidents of violence against migrant workers were reported in Nashik.
MNS workers allegedly vandalised several shops belonging to north Indians in Nashik. They also beat up a shopkeeper who was hospitalised.
Banks and schools were shut down in the city as a precautionary measure.
In Mumbai, shop-owners downed shutters in most parts of the city, including in Worli, Prabhadevi, Chembur, Ghatkopar and Dadar, as there was wide speculation that the MNS chief would be arrested and presented at Vikhroli court on Tuesday.
In some areas, shops reopened after police gave assurance of security. There was heavy police presence in the areas to defuse tension.
Police pickets were deployed in the Vikhroli area as well.
In Pune, too, MNS workers pelted stones at buses at Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) depot.
On Tuesday morning, police had beefed up security at Raj Thackeray's residence and barricaded all entrances towards his address, giving rise to speculation about his possible arrest.
The Mumbai police, however, said they are not going to arrest either Raj Thackeray or Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi immediately.
Asked if it was not mandatory to arrest Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Director General of Police PS Pasricha said: "Arrest depends on the investigations in the case. Arrest is not mandatory according to law."
Mumbai police sources told CNN-IBN that the investigation against Thackeray and Azmi would take another two to three days so that they can have a watertight case against them before going ahead with the arrests.
The police also said that they need a better security arrangement before making these arrests.
"We need more security from the Centre for Mumbai before we arrest Raj Thackeray," a police official said.
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The MNS chief had earlier rejected a police notice against him.
Azmi also went to the police commissioner's office earlier in the day offering to surrender.
"I respect the law that is why I have come to surrender but the police say that the enquiry is on and they do not want to arrest me right now. I appeal to everyone especially my party workers to please maintain peace in Mumbai," Azmi said.
Separate cases have been filed against Thackeray and Azmi for promoting enmity between groups on grounds of race, place of residence and language.
The two have been booked under Sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of place of birth, residence, etc.) and 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration).
They have also been barred from holding public rallies and press conferences till February 25.
The Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police (Law and Order), KL Prasad, had claimed on Monday that the "cases were registered against the two on the basis of certain evidence and arrest is mandatory".
Prasad, while refusing to disclose when the arrests would be made, said the charges under which Thackeray and Azmi had been booked were non-bailable.
MNS leaders say the party chief is not going to seek any anticipatory bail. Azmi had also claimed on Monday that he would not seek any anticipatory bail.
Azmi’s lawyer Sayeed Akhtar, however, said if Azmi is arrested, he will be protected legally. “Arrest is not necessary,” he said.
The incidents of violence in the city, specifically targeting north Indians, began on February 3 after Thackeray launched a verbal assault against north Indians.
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