Raj Thackeray’s “Expect Pulwama-Like Incident” remark draws flak, complaint submitted to seek probe

Mumbai: Raj Thackeray’s claim of another “Pulwama-like” terror attack before the Lok Sabha polls has caught Veteran journalist and lawyer S Balakrishnan attention who has sought a police inquiry into Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief’s remark.

A written complaint was submitted to the Chembur police station by Mr Balakrishnan on Sunday. He demanded an inquiry into the claim made by the MNS chief about a possible terror attack in the country, police said on Monday.

Making a shocking prediction, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Saturday claimed that another “Pulwama-like attack” would come within a couple of months” at the height of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

While addressing the MNS’ 13th-anniversary celebrations, he stated that “Mark my words – another Pulwama-type strike will be organised in the next two months, during the Lok Sabha elections, to divert peoples’ attention from all problems to patriotism.”

Mr Thackeray is a senior and responsible politician, whose statements should be taken seriously. The police should record Mr Thackeray’s statement and inquire into his claim, said Mr Balakrishnan.

Confirming the complaint, an official of the Chembur police station said: “We have received the application of the journalist in connection with the remarks of MNS president Raj Thackeray.”

In the deadliest terror attack on security forces in Pulwama, over 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted in Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack.