Threat fails to cause heart-burn

Threat fails to cause heart-burn
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

FEBRUARY 13: The Shiv Sainiks today stepped up their anti-Valentine Day campaign by targetting popular teenage hangout joints like Archies Gallery, Satyam, Wishes Unlimited (Eros Book Centre) and the Asiatic store.

``Some Shiv Sainiks came in at around 2:30 pm and asked us to take down all our Valentines Day decoration and stop selling cards and other gift items,'' said Manish Vora, Managing Director, Wishes Unlimited. ``They gave all the shop owners an hour to comply, threatening to return in an hour and teach them a lesson'', if the decorations were not taken down.The owners immediately called the police.

Vikram Marathe, Senior Police Inspector, Cuffe Parade, took immediate action, and placed a van with wireless facilities and constables outside all the stores. ``I think these people are all bark and no bite. I don't think they'll come back,''he said.

While most shop owners are aware of the vandalism that took place at Crossroads on Monday, the shop owners were quite adamant they would not be intimidated. ``If we comply with what they say all the time, they will get used to it. These persons must realise they can't get their own way all the time,'' said Amar Chheda of Archies Gallery.

The authorities from Asiatic stores refused to comment.

Senior Inspector Marathe has assured the store owners of protection. One of the constables on guard joked, ``They've probably run out of money, so they are creating all this hungama.''

After the hour though, there were no Shiv Sainiks, though all theowners stood outside, waiting. But, as Manish Vora put it, ``The only people who are coming back are people looking for newer cards and gifts.''