Fifteen people were booked for creating ruckus and damaging properties in Dehu road police station area on Wednesday night. The miscreants, who were armed, damaged vehicles and assaulted two women. The residents have termed the incident by the gang as an act to spread fear and establish their sway over the area due to laxity in policing and loss of fear of police among the criminals.
The accused were identified as Shahbir Shaikh, Ajay Mhetre, Vijay Telegu, Aftab Shaikh, Rahul Alkande, Abhishek and Shakif Shaikh. The identities of the remaining eight are unknown.
According to the police, the accused created tension in Dehu road bazaar, Bapdev nagar and Kiwale. They brandished swords and other weapons while moving around. The mob also attacked two women who escaped with minor injuries. Eyewitnesses said that falling law and order on the streets of Dehu road was a pointer to police laxity and raised serious questions about the patrolling and criminal intelligence gathering of the police personnel specifically assigned for the job. Residents have demanded strong action against the suspects and active policing aimed at restoring law and order in the area.
An area resident, who identified herself as Nitu, said that the motorcycle-borne youths, armed with weapons, shouted and created fear among residents. “They smashes bikes, cars and whatever that came their way. The citizens are living under fear,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}An area resident, who identified herself as Nitu, said that the motorcycle-borne youths, armed with weapons, shouted and created fear among residents. “They smashes bikes, cars and whatever that came their way. The citizens are living under fear,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}Vijay Mumani, whose two cars were smashed by the miscreants, said, “The youths are behind spreading fear in Dehu road area. The police have become a mute spectator. Such incidents are happening repeatedly and the police are not taking any step to curb the rising menace of armed youth who want to establish control over people through illegal means, including physically assault and terror.”
According to the Dehu road police, the accused vandalised six vehicles, including three cars, two motorcycles and one scooter. In Kiwale, they barged inside the house of one Sopan Savkar and assaulted his wife Deepali Savkar with wooden sticks and injured her leg.
The Dehu road police have registered a case of rioting and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the 15 accused. They are searching for the accused and will arrest them soon. Dehu road police station incharge Bajirao Mole said that combing operations are underway to nab the vandals involved in the damage to public property.