For the second time in as many months, Nigerian drug peddlers at Byculla launched a stone throwing attack, this time injuring five policemen raiding their area of business. Just last month, a gang of dealers had stoned residents of Ekta Nagar for trying to stop their drug trade. The incident took place on Thursday, at 9.30 pm, when a team of about 10 to 12 cops from the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) went to inspect the Khada Parsi area, between Byculla and Sandhurst Road station. Sources said that the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the ANC had received several calls about a large number of Nigerians allegedly selling drugs on the railway tracks there.

The police caught one Nigerian selling drugs for cash, but the suspect shouted for help and fellow peddlers started pelting the cops with stones. All the accused managed to escape in the ensuing chaos. Of the five injured policemen, API Amar Marathe received a serious head injury and is currently admitted at Bombay Hospital. The other four — API Sudarshan Chauhan (back injury, fractured hand), constables Ravindra Mate, Dattaram Mali and Raju Talavi — were discharged after treatment at JJ hospital. "When we caught one of the accused, the others started hurling stones. Marathe was hit on the head with a big stone, but luckily he survived," said an officer.