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Mumbai welcomes everyone, says Chavan

December 24, 2009 19:30 IST
Countering Shiv Sena's anti-migrant stand, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday said Mumbai welcomed everyone provided they do not 'encroach on the land illegally.'

"We welcome one and all to the city of Mumbai provided they come legally and do not encroach on the land or build illegal structures," he said addressing a gathering at a function to inaugurate new train services at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

The CM felt Mumbaikars were free to roam anywhere in the country. "There is no restriction on Mumbaikars to go in different parts of the country, they can go anywhere from Delhi to UP or to Bihar," he said.

Chavan was reacting to Shiv Sena leader and Mumbai Mayor Shraddha Jadhav's remarks that 'the state government must take care to curb the influx of migrants.'

He, however, evaded a reply on the controversy over the missing bulletproof jacket worn by slain Anti Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare and said, 'the home ministry will answer about it.'

On the occasion, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Duronto Express and Dadar-Varanasi Superfast Express were flagged of, services of the Nagpur Gaya Dikshabhumi Express was extended to the Sri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus in Kolhapur on one side and to Dhanbad on the other, and frequency of the Mumbai-Amravati Express and Pune-Patna Express was increased.

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