Embarrassed by the involvement of Shiv Sainiks in a moral policing incident in Kochi, the Shiv Sena on Thursday washed its hands of the activists and announced their suspension from the party.
"The said persons involved in the act in Kochi have been immediately suspended from the party membership indefinitely," a terse statement from Yuva Sena President Aditya Thackeray said.
Describing the incident as "shameful and unnecessary", he warned that the party would not shield or endorse such acts.
The statement came in the wake of an incident of alleged 'moral policing' indulged in by at least six Shiv Sainiks on the seafront in Kochi, Kerala's commercial capital, on Wednesday evening.
They went on a rampage, chased and attacked some youths in full media glare even as police allegedly turned a blind eye to the whole episode.
Later, the police arrested six Shiv Sainiks, T.R. Devan, K.K. Biju, K.Y. Kunjumon, T.R. Lenis, K.U. Ratheesh and A.V. Vineesh, for unlawful assembly, threatening youths and obstructing police personnel.
Moving swiftly, Kochi Police Commissioner M. P. Dinesh suspended Sub-Inspector Vijay Shankar and transferred eight others for dereliction of duty.
However, the police have not received any complaints from the youths or couples who were harassed by the six.