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Hundreds of men with swords go on politico-communal rampage; residents say parties wanted to milk My Name is Khan controversy
All hell broke loose in Dharavi around midnight today. Between 12 am to 1 am, hundreds of people roamed the area with swords in their hands, attacking people, pelting stones at houses and damaging vehicles.
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Smashed: This cab was among the many vehicles damaged in the stone pelting during the riot. Pics/Bipin Kokate |
The rampage began over a seemingly trivial issue â a misunderstanding over an order at a Chinese food stall.
However, it took on a life of its own, with Shiv Sena members and alleged Congress supporters resorting to violence.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone IV, Milind Bharambe said, "The fight started over Chinese food. A boy, Naushad Ali, had asked for half a plate of a dish and was given a full plate instead. The problem began when it was time to pay the bill. The boy was hit and later both the parties went on a rampage one after the other."
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It's a mad world: DCP Milind Bharambe patrols Dharavi. Around 300 cops were deployed to the area |
After he was hit, Ali complained to his parents. They came along with a few men and landed up in a fight with the workers at the stall.
This fight brought people from both parties down to the streets. However, it remains unclear who initiated the violence.
An eyewitness, Pandi Tevar, said, "A group of over 100 people came into our area to attack us. I was riding my bike when I saw one man tear up an Uddhav Thackeray banner with a sword. He then attacked me. I put my hand out to protect myself and he hit my hand with the sword." Tevar, a Sena supporter, alleged that the attackers were Congress supporters.
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Pandi Tevar was attacked with a sword and lived to tell his story |
Saeed Ahmed, a Congress supporter, said, "There was no need to hit an 11-year-old boy, who had gone to have Chinese. These people [Shiv Sainiks] came into our area with swords, lathis and stones to attack us."
Incidentally, two-and-a-half months back, the two groups had fought over some petty political rivalry.
Damages
Around 10 people were injured and over 10 vehicles damaged by the stone pelting. Several houses were also pelted with stones.
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Who cast the first stone? Cops stand guard
in Dharavi at 2 am today after residents, who support two different political parties, attacked each other with swords and stones. Pic/Bipin Kokate |
It took 300 cops over three hours to bring the situation under control. At the time of going to press, the area was peaceful.
The police are trying to find eyewitnesses to identify the culprits.
Said DCP Bharambe, "We are conducting the enquiry."
| Was it over MNIK? |
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As is common to such cases, speculation and rumours abounded in the area. Topping the list was the claim that both the parties went on the rampage to milk the My Name is Khan (MNIK) controversy.
Eyewitness, Durain Pandian, said, "We are from the Sena and the Muslims are Congress supporters. They attacked us, as we have been against MNIK." He cited the attack on the Sena's shakha office and the Uddhav Thackeray banner as proof of his belief.
Congress supporter Saeed Ahmed, ironically, echoed Pandian. "They have done this to gain publicity for My Name is Khan. The men who attacked us were from the Sena and wanted to gain more mileage out of the issue."
DCP Bharambe refused to comment on the MNIK angle. | |
