Raj defies govt, flexes muscle, paralyses city

Attacks R R Patil, Police Chief For Aug 11 Violence Mumbai: For the second time in 10 days, south Mumbai was paralysed as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray defied government orders to lead a 40,000-strong rally from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan on Tuesday. The 'illegal' protest march to demand the resignations of home minister R R Patil and police commissioner Arup Patnaik over the August 11 violence disrupted the normal lives of lakhs of citizens.      Thackeray accused Patnaik of demoralizing the police force by not 'rescuing' the women constables and other policemen who were assaulted. He questioned the government's decision to deny permission for his rally, while Raza Academy, with its "dubious track record", was given the goahead on August 11.      "We are not here to smash cars and torch public property. Our only target is Patnaik and Patil," he said.      The police later booked MNS secretary Shirish Sawant, who had sought permission to hold the rally, for violation of prohibitory orders. The MNS rally winds its way from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan