'Will hold meeting with key political leaders for decision on loudspeakers'

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Wednesday said he will hold a meeting with the key leaders of all political parties and some organisations in the state before a final decision is taken over with the use of loudspeakersHe made the comments against the backdrop of a strong pitch made by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS and the opposition BJP over removing highdecibel loudspeakers installed on mosquesInteracting with media persons here Walse Patil also said that loudspeakers can be installed only after seeking permission from the police as per lawHe said states Director General of Police DGP Rajnish Seth held a meeting with the top officials on the issue of loudspeakers on Tuesday and submitted a report in this regard to him on WednesdayHe Seth has submitted a report to me on what situation may arise in the state over the next some days and steps to be taken in that regard the minister addedWalse Patil without naming anyone reiterated that attempts are being made to disturb law and order in the state and added that the government has taken a serious view of the sameHe requested everyone to desist from taking law into their hands escalating conflicts and dividing communitiesStrict action will be taken if anyone does this and peace will be established he addedWalse Patil said that the Supreme Court had passed a judgement on noise pollution in 2005 and added the state government had issued some government resolutions GR in that regard in 2015 and 2017Instruction will be issued to authorities concerned to implement the same But before taking a final decision in this regard I will hold a meeting with leaders of key parties in the state to discuss the issueI will hold discussions with some organisations as well After that a final decision will be made he addedTo a question Walse Patil said MNS chief Raj Thackeray who had made a strong pitch for removing loudspeakers from mosques earlier this month will also be invited for the meetingWalse Patil however did not specify the date when the meeting will be heldThe minister also said he will welcome if people follow the Supreme Court order on noise pollution on their ownTo another question Walse Patil said Aurangabad police commissioner has received letters seeking to disallow Thackerays planned rally in Aurangabad city and added that cops will take a call in this regard assessing the local situationWalse Patil also said that there is no reason for the government iquestto oppose if anyone installs CCTVs at temples or any other place of prayers voluntarilyiquest from a security point of viewHe was replying to a question on the MNS reportedly demanding installation of CCTVs in mosquesAsked whether loudspeakers installed without permissions on temples or mosques will be removed Walse Patil said that it is not the governments responsibility to install or remove loudspeakersOne who wishes to install a loudspeaker should do so as per law seeking police permission Loudspeakers cannot be installed if there is no police permissionThose who install loudspeakers they will have to follow the SC order and governments GRs he addedReplying to a query the minister said the government has inputs about pockets in the state where the situation may be tense and added that the police have been asked to be fully prepared to face such situationsWalse Patil said there is no need to give importance to Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLAhusband Ravi Ranas talk of reading Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays official residence Varsha hereRaj Thackeray has earlier asked the MVA government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3 citing noise pollution and threatened to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques in a higher volume if his demand was not met The BJP has supported Raj Thackerays demandThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever