Mumbai on alert after attack on Bachchan's house

New Delhi: Mumbai was placed on high alert on Monday after youths attacked Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan's home and north Indians in the country.

Unidentified youths on a motorcycle shouted abuses and hurled glass bottles at Bachchan's residence in Mumbai on Sunday. Taxi drivers were also attacked.

Police stepped up patrols around the area to prevent possible attacks amid a campaign by regional party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) against north Indian migrants.

They also stopped the screening of a north Indian film in Mumbai after supporters of MNS leader Raj Thackeray attacked the theatre. Over 40 rioters were arrested.

"Security and vigil has been increased in areas with a large north Indian population. The police are ready to face any eventuality," senior police official R Pawar told NDTV.

The attacks followed a spat between Thackeray and Bachchan's politician wife Jaya Bhaduri.

Thackeray had questioned Bachchan's loyalty to the state, saying that the film star preferred his native Uttar Pradesh over Maharashtra for opening a girls' college.