Pune (Maharashtra), June 6 (IANS): Police is keen to recommend a ban on ultra right-wing outfit Hindu Rashtra Sena for its alleged involvement in the brutal murder of a Pune techie. But, banning is "easier said than done", a top official said.
Pune Police Commissioner Satish Mathur admitted that imposing a ban would not be an easy matter.
"Controlling the HRS activities is our priority… But banning any such organisation is easier said than done," Mathur told mediapersons here Friday, without elaborating on what he meant.
Nevertheless, the police is gathering documents and evidence which could help its case seeking a ban which would be sent to the state government, he added.
Mohsin Sadiq Shaikh, a 27-year old Solapur techie working in Pune, was killed by suspected activists of HRS when he was returning home late Monday. The killing was ostensibly provoked by certain derogatory Facebook posts - which he had nothing to do with - which led to violence in different parts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai last week - a report on which has already been submitted to the government.
Shaikh, working as an IT manager with Ujjwala Enterprises in Swargate area of Pune, was the sole breadwinner for his grieving middle-class family members who have demanded justice from the government.
Incidentally, the police in Pune and Mumbai registered cases against unknown people in connection with the Facebook posts.
As many as 13 people were arrested till Tuesday, while another four were nabbed late Wednesday for their involvement in the incident. The police believe at least five more are absconding.
Shaikh’s lynching triggered waves of protests on various social networking sites, while the Congress in New Delhi also condemned the killing.
So far, 17 youth arrested in connection with Shaikh’s killing have been remanded to police custody till June 9 by a Pune court.
Police are still on the lookout for at least five more who are absconding but whose identity has been established in the ongoing investigations.
Mathur reiterated that the police had acted promptly after they learnt of the recurring Facebook posts last week, but it was difficult to stop anybody from uploading such objectionable matter.