Forget Pakistan, we may have to fight a war within: Raj Thackeray

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday alleged that people living in slum areas like Behrampada in Mumbai were illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

The outspoken MNS leader claimed that such people easily get Aadhaar cards and warned that "if this trend continues, India would have to fight a war against them, instead of Pakistan".

He expressed anguish over no official records being maintained of such people, saying that nobody knows where these people come from.

Raj Thackeray claimed that the fire that broke out on October 26 in a slum near Bandra railway station was not an accident, but a planned incident.

Speaking at a press conference here, Thackeray said, "The fire was set in the slum; it was planned, as there are all Bangladeshi people, who live there.. I don't know from where they come and reside in the city. We don't have any account of them all. But the fire was imposed and not an accident".

On October 26, a fierce fire broke out at Behrampada near Bandra railway station in Mumbai. At least 16 fire engines and 12 water tankers reached the spot to douse the flames. No casualties were reported then, but properties and houses worth several crores suffered damage.

The incident had resulted in a disruption of services on the Harbour Line which were suspended briefly as a precautionary measure.