Mumbai: The Vakola police arrested seven individuals on Sunday after a protest against the recent Pahalgam terror attack escalated into a violent clash between two communities in Vakola area of Mumbai's +Santacruz East. The arrested individuals reportedly face charges of unlawful assembly, rioting and assault causing hurt.
According to police officials, on Saturday evening, over 100 people, roughly 50 from each community, had gathered in the Nehru Nagar area of Vakola to condemn the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 lives were lost. The protest, meant to be a show of grief and solidarity, quickly spiralled out of control when tensions flared between the two groups. A heated argument soon turned physical, leading to injuries among several participants.
A senior officer said that the police rushed to the spot immediately after the violence broke out. Several people were detained for questioning, and after a preliminary inquiry, seven individuals were placed under arrest.
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'Previously Unresolved Dispute Likely Led To Clash,' Says Cop
Another officer revealed that the unrest appeared to have been fuelled by a previously unresolved dispute between the two groups. "Though they had assembled to protest the terror attack, an old rivalry seems to have reignited the tensions. What started as slogan-shouting quickly descended into vandalism and physical fights," the officer said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
The altercation also led to damage in the area, with some shops being ransacked and vehicles vandalised during the clash. Injured individuals were taken to VN Desai Hospital for treatment, though no serious injuries were reported.
Police officials confirmed that CCTV footage from the area has been collected and is being reviewed to identify additional individuals involved in the violence. More arrests are likely once others are identified. The Vakola police have registered a suo motu case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including sections 189 (unlawful assembly), 191 (rioting) and 115(2) (assault causing hurt).
