Mumbai Police have arrested 16 people and detained two others in connection with violent clashes and stone-pelting during an anti-encroachment demolition drive in Bandra East. The incident took place in the Garib Nagar area near Bandra railway station, where authorities were carrying out a large-scale operation to remove illegal structures from railway land.
According to police officials, tensions escalated on Wednesday afternoon when a crowd gathered at the demolition site and protested against the action being carried out by railway authorities and civic officials. The situation soon turned violent after some people allegedly began pelting stones, cement blocks and paver blocks at police personnel and railway staff deployed in the area.
Several police personnel were injured during the clashes. Officials said at least five policemen suffered serious injuries, including fractures and facial injuries, while several others sustained minor bruises during the operation. Security forces later resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
The demolition drive is part of a major anti-encroachment operation launched by Western Railway to clear around 5,200 square metres of land near Bandra station. Authorities said the land is required for railway infrastructure expansion and future transport development projects. The operation reportedly began earlier this week following directions from the Bombay High Court after years of legal proceedings.
Police said over 500 personnel, including Mumbai Police, Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police staff, were deployed in the area due to concerns over possible resistance. Despite repeated warnings and announcements asking protesters to disperse peacefully, the mob allegedly continued attacking officials for nearly an hour before the situation was controlled.
All 16 arrested individuals were produced before a Bandra court, which remanded them to police custody for further investigation. Cases have been registered under various sections related to rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on public servants and obstruction of government duty.
Meanwhile, authorities continued the demolition work on Thursday under heavy security arrangements to prevent further unrest. Officials stated that the operation would continue as planned, while police teams are also examining CCTV footage and conducting searches to identify more people allegedly involved in the violence.
