Tension gripped Mumbai’s Bandra East area as an anti-encroachment demolition drive reportedly led to clashes, stone-pelting, and injuries to several police personnel. The Mumbai Police filed an FIR against 10 identified individuals and others under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following the violent incident. The altercation occurred during an operation to clear illegal encroachments and unauthorized structures in the Garib Nagar locality near Bandra East railway station.
Authorities stated that the demolition was conducted in compliance with court orders and official directives concerning the scheduled anti-encroachment action. To maintain order during the operation, personnel from the Mumbai Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Home Guards, and other departments were deployed at the site. Despite repeated calls for peaceful dispersal and cooperation, a crowd of around 100 to 150 people gathered and protested against the action, leading to escalated tensions.
Police reports indicated that as the demolition progressed, some individuals in the crowd turned aggressive and tried to obstruct the operation, raising slogans and causing unrest. Subsequently, stones and objects were allegedly thrown at the police and officials present, resulting in heightened tensions. In response, the police used mild force to contain the situation and detained several individuals on-site.
Multiple police personnel sustained injuries during the incident, with the FIR specifically mentioning injuries to those involved in the demolition operation. Charges including unlawful assembly, rioting, obstruction of government servants, assault on public servants, and damage to public property have been invoked against the accused individuals. An investigation is ongoing, with authorities reviewing CCTV footage and gathering additional evidence to identify other suspects involved in the violence and stone-pelting.
Security measures in the area have been reinforced to uphold law and order and prevent further disturbances.
