Mumbai: Over one lakh people are expected to attend MNS chief Raj Thackeray's public meeting at Shivaji Park today and reserve forces have been called as a part of elaborate security arrangements, police said.

Though the top officials refused to divulge the exact numbers, they said that personnel from the reserve Local Arms Branch of the city police, Riot Control Police, State Reserve Police Force and police commandos will be posted.

"We have also requisitioned Rapid Action Force personnel," Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad said.

Raj, who had led a violent anti-north Indian campaign in February, is expected to unveil the strategies of his two-year-old outfit Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at the rally.

A three-tier security ring is expected to be set up at the venue and the police will also have an eye on the happenings as close circuit cameras have been placed at all entry-exit points and other spots.

"There are two important aspects to be looked at. One is the security at the venue and the second is crowd control. Everybody walks in peacefully but what if they get infuriated after the speech and indulge in some mischief after the rally," Prasad added.

Activists from the MNS and the Samajwadi Party had clashed in the vicinity of Shivaji Park on February 3 this year before the beginning of an United National Progressive Alliance rally addressed by Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The clashes had snowballed into a full-fledged anti- north Indian campaign across Maharashtra by MNS. Raj was also arrested for inciting people.
Source : PTI