MNIK protest: Over 1600 Shiv Sainiks arrested, bookings reopen

Mumbai, Feb 10 (PTI) Over 1600 Shiv Sena activists were
on Wednesday arrested ahead of the release of Shah Rukh Khan
starrer 'My Name Is Khan' as the Maharashtra government beefed
up security enabling theatre owners to re-open advance
bookings.
Some of cinema halls in the city had suspended advance
bookings after Sena activists targeted them. But they decided
to restart bookings after the Maharashtra government increased
security and issued fresh guidelines.
"So far, 1600 have been arrested approximately...Many of
them have been remanded to judicial custody upto February 12
and some to police custody upto 15," Joint Commissioner of
Police Himanshu Roy told reporters here.
The Sena activists, including office bearers, were
charged with rioting, damaging property, unlawful assembly and
trespassing, police said. Police also picked up some from near
Broadway cinema at suburban Borivali.
The Sena is demanding that Khan apologise for supporting
inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the upcoming IPL but the
actor has refused to do so, saying his comments were not
anti-national and there is nothing to retract.
Under the new guidelines to the theatre owners, the first
three rows will be kept empty to prevent miscreants from
damaging the screens.
"Also, we are thinking of deploying some cameras in
select theatres and police men in uniform as well as plain
clothes will be present in and outside the cinema halls," Roy
said, adding many of the theatre owners have started the
advance booking of the film. (More) PTI