Mumbai: Self-defence squads will be formed to take on the "goons of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)", a state Congress leader said today.

The squads, to be called Atma Raksha Dal, would comprise 20 members each and protect interests of the poor people like hawkers and taxi drivers, who are normally target of MNS attacks, MPCC spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam told reporters.

The squad members would be required to report about an incident to the nearest police station and "take all necessary steps to prevent any harm to local populace", he said.

"Let me make it clear that the squad members will never adopt the role of an aggressor. They will react only in the event of an attack," the former Rajya Sabha member said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had said yesterday that he would allow Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to peform "chhat puja in Mumbai and attend the same."

In his May 3 public rally speech here, Raj had dared the RJD chief to hold the chhat puja (a popular festival in Bihar) in the state capial which has a sizeable north Indian population. "Let him come here....we will see how he returns," Raj had warned. The MNS chief, whose party has launched a campaign against north Indian migrants, had targeted Lalu on the same issue about three months back.
Source : PTI