7 cops injured in stone-pelting during anti-encroachment drive in Mumbai slum

MUMBAI: Seven policemen and six protesters were injured, while 10 people were detained after violence erupted during the second day of the anti-encroachment demolition drive at Garib Nagar slum along Bandra station’s eastern side.

Police resorted to a lathicharge on Wednesday after a mob allegedly hurled stones, utensils and other objects at demolition teams. The drive is being carried out by Western Railway under court orders. Authorities said around 60% of the clearance work had been completed by the end of the second day.



Demolition on the second day resumed around 8am and initially proceeded peacefully. Tension escalated around 3pm when officials moved to demolish an illegal prayer structure near the Bandra (East) skywalk, where a private telecom tower had also allegedly been installed. The drive targets around 500 hutments spread across nearly 5,200 square metres of railway land estimated to be worth around Rs 600 crore.

Authorities tightened security and sealed key roads around Bandra station and Bandra terminus. Nirmal Nagar police registered an FIR against the rioters for unlawful assembly, rioting and assaulting government officials. The injured were treated at Bhabha Hospital and V N Desai Hospital.

Two injured persons, including one policeman and one protester, were admitted and reported to be stable, while the others were discharged against medical advice. “Protesters blocked traffic, which was later cleared,” a Nirmal Nagar police officer said.

Additional commissioner of police (west region) Abhinav Deshmukh warned of stern legal action against those involved in the violence.

The unrest triggered traffic congestion in Bandra (East), with roads leading to Bandra Terminus shut as a precautionary measure. Several passengers were forced to walk with luggage after vehicles were diverted or stopped at barricades.

Proceedings began under Public Premises Act before 2017, with eviction orders issued on Nov 27 that year. The matter went to HC and Supreme Court. By order on April 29 this year, upheld in further proceedings and by the Supreme Court, HC allowed the removal of unauthorised encroachments while protecting eligible structures.