21 May,2026 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Police said 10 people have been identified and named in the FIR. File Pic/Sameer Abedi
Mumbai Police on Thursday said that it arrested 16 people in connection with violence that broke out during the ongoing demolition drive in the Garib Nagar area of Bandra, reported the ANI.
Officials said the arrests were made after incidents of stone pelting were reported during the anti-encroachment operation being carried out by Western Railway.
According to police, tensions escalated on Wednesday when some people allegedly hurled stones during the demolition drive.
The operation is being conducted in the Garib Nagar locality near Bandra railway station following court directions related to the removal of encroachments from railway land, officials said.
Police said 10 people have been identified and named in the FIR. A case has been registered against several people.
Police said the demolition resumed on May 20 after work could not be completed on the first day.
According to the FIR, at around 4.30 pm, a group of nearly 100 to 150 people allegedly gathered at the site and began shouting slogans against the operation.
It stated that the police personnel deployed at the location repeatedly appealed to the crowd through megaphones to disperse. However, the gathering allegedly became aggressive and started pelting stones at police personnel and security staff.
Some people allegedly threw cement blocks towards police officers and personnel deployed for security during the operation.
Police said mild force was later used to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
A large number of police personnel remain deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest.
Officials said security arrangements have been tightened around the demolition site as the operation continues.
Police used force to disperse crowds after protesters allegedly attempted to obstruct the demolition work.
Mumbai Police said all 16 arrested accused were produced before the Bandra Court on Thursday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday defended the ongoing demolition drive in Bandra East, stating that the action was being carried out in accordance with legal provisions and court orders.
Speaking about the tensions during the operation in Garib Nagar, Fadnavis said that some miscreants allegedly pelted stones at police personnel deployed for bandobast at the site. He added that police later used a mild lathi charge to control the situation and maintain law and order.
The chief minister further said that cases have been registered against those involved in the violence, and action is being taken against the accused. Heavy police deployment continues in the area as the anti-encroachment drive progresses.
