The Maharashtra government is seeking the opinion of the state's Advocate General on the issue of the arrest of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray for his remarks against north Indians, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said on Thursday.

"For an arrest warrant, we are seeking the legal opinion of the Advocate General. The police will take action according to advise," he told reporters.

Deshmukh said it was the government's job to provide all residents of Mumbai protection whether they came from the North or from the South.

"As long as they are here, they are Mumbaikars," he said.