‘Area isolated, has no street lights’

Residents of Navneet Nagar society at Dombivli (East) allege that a group of youngsters that normally hangs out at the premises of a vacant building near the society, have created nuisance in the past, too, reports Mohamed Thaver.

Residents of Navneet Nagar society at Dombivli (East) allege that a group of youngsters that normally hangs out at the premises of a vacant building near the society, have created nuisance in the past, too.

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Malti Vikmani, who is related to Santosh Vichivara and is a resident of the society — comprising of 14 buildings — said: “They had beaten up a 15-year-old from our society very badly five months ago. He had refused to do something they demanded.”

When asked if they were the same group of boys that stabbed Vichivara, Vikmani said: “I am not sure. Some group is always sitting at the vacant building, eating, drinking and creating nuisance.”

Jayantilal Gada, 50, who had intervened to help Vichivara and suffered a cut to his right elbow, said: “The groups often harass women who pass by. We have asked the police to have a police beat chowky in the area, as it is isolated and has no street lights.”

“In case of an emergency, by the time we contact the police or they reach here, it could be too late. There is no police patrolling in the area,” Another resident, who did not wish to be identified, said:

Thane police commissioner KP Raghuvanshi said: “Given the number of people we have under us, we are making the best possible efforts to keep things under check. We cannot be present everywhere all the time. We will increase patrolling in the area.”