Mumbai demolition flashpoint: 16 arrested, charged with rioting after stone-pelting leaves 5 cops injured

MUMBAI: Nirmal Nagar police arrested 16 people for allegedly pelting stones at police during a demolition drive carried out on Wednesday outside Bandra Railway station in East, officials said. The arrested persons were produced before the Bandra Court on Thursday. Police booked them for rioting, unlawful assembly, and obstructing government servants from discharging duty. Police said around 150 people had gathered to protest during the demolition drive before the situation turned violent. The protesters allegedly pelted stones and paver blocks at police for nearly an hour before being brought under control. Five police personnel sustained serious injuries, including a fracture on the hand of one officer and a broken nose suffered by another after being hit by paver blocks. Around 10 others sustained minor injuries. An officer said over 500 personnel, including 50 officers from Mumbai Police and Government Railway Police, were deployed at the demolition site. The police bandobast continued for the second day. Nirmal Nagar police said the situation is now under control. Civic and railway officials were clearing debris from the demolition site.