After Marathi demand,attack on Airtel and Aircel outlets

The attackers had apparently informed the broadcast media about their intentions and the police are hopeful of getting camera footage that can help identify them. “We will contact the camerapersons and access their footage,” said senior inspector Prakash George of Bandra police. “The complainants have alleged that a group of men came outside their shop and pelted stones at the glass doors,shattering them.”

In Khar,inspector B Mukhedkar said,“A bunch of activists passed by the Aircel outlet and one of them threw a stone at the window,causing minor damage. The shop management does not have any complaint.”

In Thane,activists pelted stones at the Airtel outlet and smashed windows with hockey sticks.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had mentioned Airtel in his party’s foundation day speech. He said all telecom companies but Airtel have ensured the use of Marathi in their call centres. Airtel had asked for more time and the deadline had ended on Tuesday,Thackeray said. “Airtel had said that there are some technical glitches in implementing Marathi and asked for time. Their deadline ends now,” said Raj.

MNS leaders said Aircel too had failed to introduce Marathi in their call centres and recorded messages. After the attacks,MNS leaders claimed success and announced that the companies had assured use of Marathi by Wednesday.

An Airtel spokesperson said,“We already have Marathi in our IVR.” Aircel authorities were not available for comment.

At the Bandra outlet,Shabina Shaikh said,“I was working in the shop when we all heard a loud crash and the sound of glass shattering. When we went out to see,there was a huge crowd with some media persons shooting the episode and there were some people shouting slogans. I could not see the faces of the people as they left just as we came out.”

The outlet’s manager said,“A couple of weeks ago,two-three persons from MNS had come in with a letter that they want Marathi to be included in the IVR. I had promised to forward the letter to the head office.”