Notice to maintain communal peace served to Owaisi in Maharashtra

Hyderabad: Police in Maharashtra's Parbhani on Sunday served notice to visiting MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, directing him not to commit an act which creates communal tension in the city.

The Hyderabad Lok Sabha member was in Parbhani to attend a function of a 'madarsa'.

A police inspector served the notice on the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president under section 149 of Criminal Procedure Code.

Stating that Parbhani is peaceful yet communally sensitive city, police directed Owaisi to exercise utmost discipline and responsible behaviour during his stay.

"You shall not either through speech or action, commit an act which violates the model code of conduct or create communal tension among the communities in the city," the notice said, asking him to abstain from committing anything that is offensive to a particular community.

It further states that he will be responsible for any law and order problem created because of his action and that criminal action will be initiated against him.

Owaisi, who was scheduled to address a public meeting in Darul Nomania and Jamiatul Mominat, reacted strongly to the notice and wondered if the freedom of expression is alive.

He tweeted: "Have been served CRPC 149 notice by Parbhani police as I am here to attend Madarsa function. Freedom of expression zinda?"