Mob attacks plague city

In two separate incidents, irate mobs beat up traveller alleging he was a thief and burn a peon's hand at vegetable market

The city of Pune was hit by a spurt of mob violence, last night. Last night around 12 am, a 26-year-old youth was beaten up by an irate mob, after he was believed to be a thief.

Mohan Shivaji Khade (26, resident of Satara) was assaulted near Vanaraj Mitra Mandal, as they thought him to be a thief.

Khade sustained six deep wounds on his head and three wounds to his chest. Khade was shifted to Sassoon Hospital to suture the wounds.

While speaking to MiD DAY he said, "I did nothing wrong. They attacked me just because I was sitting next to their home. I was beaten up for no fault of mine."

Contrary to Khade's claims, Head Constable I A Shiekh of Phadagate Police Chowky said, "Khade told us that he had fought with some people in Budhwar Peth. He had taken shelter inside a public toilet to hide from those people who he had fought with. Just then a lady residing in the same area entered the toilet. She suddenly spotted him and started screaming. People from the area gathered there and attacked him."

Khade underwent treatment at Sassoon Hospital. He claimed he had come to Pune to pay a visit to temples in the city along with his friend.

Second incident
Around 10 pm, in another incident reported in Warje, a peon working with a private college was attacked by a mob.

Atul Tanaji Shelar (27, resident of Warje Malwadi) sustained severe burn injuries on his hand when he tried to stop abusive men trying to burn him. Shelar was buying vegetables near a sweet mart.

According to Shelar some youth started abusing him when he tried to stop them. They called one more friend and all of them pushed him aside.

The impact was so much that his hand fell in the pan of hot oil. Shelar sustained severe burn injuries on his hand.u00a0 A case has been registered at the Warje Police Station.