Mumbai, Apr 18: President of Maharashtra unit of the Samajwadi Party Abu Asim Azmi today claimed that two north Indian women were raped during the attack on migrants by MNS activists in Nashik earlier this year.

Speaking at a press conference to hand over a cheque of Rs five lakh to the family of Vinod Singh, a north Indian who was killed in the attack at Igatpuri, Mr Azmi said, ''I was informed about the incident by a city-based Congress activist, who had gone to Nashik to take stock of the situation.'' ''The victims are willing to come out and register their complaints provided they are given assurance and security from the government, and I will name the Congress activist, whenever the situation arises,'' he said.

Mr Azmi alleged that MNS is being supported by the Congress to eat into the vote bank of Shiv Sena, in the same way as it had supported Shiv Sena to control the Communist Party of India.

''Senior police officials had met Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and requested him not to follow up the case against MNS chief Raj Thackeray, as any action against him would popularise him,'' Mr Azmi alleged.

Commenting on Mr Thackeray's May 3 rally, Mr Azmi said, ''The government should see to it that he does not create any problems with his speeches.'' He alleged that the Maharashtra government was not serious about curbing the activists of MNS as Mr Thackeray was let out on bail, while some of his activists were jailed for attacking North Indians in the state.

UNI