On Monday, illegal buildings in Mumbai were razed in the midst of heightened security. Only a few hours have passed since reports of violence from the Mira Road area during the Ayodhya Ram temple pran pratishtha celebrations. Following the skirmishes, police held a tight vigil and led a flag march through the Naya Nagar neighbourhood.
Bulldozers reportedly demolished unauthorised buildings in the MMR area one day after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis threatened to take tough measures against protesters. Images circulated on the internet depicted the cars being accompanied by a sizable contingent of law enforcement and security officers while the Mira Bhaindar Municipal Corporation demolished temporary shops and other buildings situated on the pavement. They had previously been served notices calling for the illegal structures to be dismantled.
Since a fight broke out on the evening of January 21 between two communities, thirteen persons have been taken into custody. According to police sources, the argument started on Sunday night at around 11 p.m. when some Hindu residents of the Naya Nagar neighbourhood on Mira Road chanted slogans.
In a different instance, a procession through Thane district on Monday night was showered with stones. The incident injured an undetermined number of march participants and police officers supplying security for the event.
“The complete details of the incident in the Nayanagar area of Mira-Bhyander were taken last night only. I was in constant touch with the Mira-Bhyander Police Commissioner till 3.30 am on Monday. Police have been instructed to take strict action against the accused. In this case, 13 accused have been detained so far and the process of identifying the other accused is underway by checking the CCTV footage. Anyone trying to disrupt law and order in Maharashtra will not be tolerated,” Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said early on Monday.
The people living on Mira Road had already received an appeal from the police asking them to disregard rumours.
There is currently an ongoing investigation into the matter.
