AIMIM's Waris Pathan Breifly Detained In Bid To Stop Him From Visiting Mira Road, Says 'Will Come Again'

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan was briefly detained by Mumbai Police when he tried to visit Mira Road which witnessed a communal clash last month. In a video, he said he would try to visit the area again.

New Delhi: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan was detained and later released by Mumbai police on Monaday when attempting to visit the strife-torn Mira Road in neighbouring Thane district. The incident comes in the wake of communal violence that erupted last month preceding the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, an official said, as per news agency PTI.

According to the official from Dahisar police, Pathan was halted at the Dahisar Check Naka while he was on his way to Mira Road. He was subsequently taken to the Dahisar police station before being released and escorted back to his residence in south Mumbai. AIMIM workers also gathered outside the police station but were asked to leave, reported PTI.

A few days ago, Pathan announced that he would visit Mira Road and meet the police commissioner of Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar (MBVV). In response, both the Mumbai and MBVV police issued notices to him ahead of his planned visit, the official said.

The clash between members of two communities occurred during a vehicle rally organised in Naya Nagar of Mira Road, just a day before the scheduled consecration of the Ram temple on January 21st. After the event, miscreants resorted to pelting stones at a procession. In response, civic authorities demolished illegal stalls in the Naya Nagar locality, reported PTI.

'Mira Road Is Not Anyone's Property': AIMIM's Waris Pathan Releases Video After Detention

In a video shared on social media following his release, Pathan asserted he had informed eight days ago he would visit Mira Road and meet the police commissioner. He also criticised the government's handling of the situation, citing the demolition of establishments belonging to impoverished individuals in the area.

"Today they did not allow me to reach Mira Road, they took me into custody midway. But I will come again. Mira Road is not anyone's property," he stated in the video caption.

"BJP leaders visit the area and make provocative speeches. We saw how the government has demolished the establishments of poor people in the area. Some leaders have warned that they will come to Mira Road in the coming days, and if they reach the area, then I will also go there",  the AIMIM leader claimed.