Over 1000 Shiv Sainiks Detained ahead of ‘My Name…’ Release

Ahead of the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name is Khan’, more than 1000 Shiv Sainiks have been detained after the party stepped up its protest against the film over actor’s criticism of non-inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL, said media reports.

“In the last 24 hours, a total of 1,023 Sainiks have been arrested. While 955 were picked up under the preventive action, the rest were put behind bars for different cases, including for protesting outside the theatre, vandalising screens among others,” police was quoted as saying.

They said that tight security was given to all the 63 theatres across the city, which were going to show the movie scheduled to be released on February 12, said reports.

The city police chief has issued guidelines to all police stations regarding security arrangements, said reports.

In its renewed threat, Sena had said that it wouldn’t allow the release of ‘My Name is Khan’ unless Bollywood start withdraws his statement.

“We will not allow the movie to be released. Shah Rukh should first apologise to Balasaheb (Thackeray) and then only we can talk with him,” Sena leader Manohar Joshi had said yesterday.

Following the Sena threat, leaves of the city policemen have been cancelled to ensure their full presence, said reports.

To further strengthen security, personnel from State Reserve Police Force and Home Guards will be deployed at the 63 theatres that will screen the film in Mumbai, reports said.

Karan Johar, director and co-producer of the film, on Wednesday met Police Commissioner D Sivanandhan to discuss security issues ahead of the movie’s release, said reports.

(Based on internet reports)