Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 7: Authorities carried out a demolition drive in Goregaon East after a violent clash during a religious procession triggered tensions and protests in the area, officials said on Monday.
The incident occurred in Santosh Nagar on Sunday during a Mariamma Devi procession, when members of a family allegedly damaged a DJ system playing devotional music and assaulted two youths, leading to a flare-up.
Police from Dindoshi Police Station arrested nine members of the family on charges including attempt to murder and rioting. The injured victims are undergoing treatment at a trauma care facility in Jogeshwari.
According to officials, the situation escalated quickly, forcing police to resort to mild force after crowds refused to disperse. Tensions continued into the night, with protests and sloganeering reported again on Monday morning.
Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya visited the area, offered prayers at a nearby temple, and recited the Hanuman Chalisa amid the tense atmosphere.
To maintain law and order, nearly 400 police personnel were deployed, with senior officers including DCP Mahesh Chimte and Additional Commissioner Paramjit Singh Dahiya monitoring the situation on the ground.
Police said the demolition was carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation after it was found that the accused had encroached on public space by setting up an illegal paan shop and installing an iron grill.
“The illegal structures, including the paan shop, were removed as part of civic action,” a senior officer said.
During a raid on the accused’s residence, police also claimed to have seized mephedrone, leading to the registration of a separate case under the NDPS Act, said senior inspector Mahendra Shinde.
Officials from the BMC’s P/East ward stated that the demolition drive included removal of two temporary sheds and the paan shop. Around 15–20 civic staff, along with a JCB and other machinery, were deployed for the operation.
Police have set up a temporary camp in the locality and are scanning CCTV footage to identify others involved. “The situation is currently under control, and efforts are on to ensure peace,” an officer added.