Clash during demolition drive
Police said a mob hurled stones and paver blocks at security personnel during the operation
Sixteen people were arrested by the Mumbai Police on Thursday for allegedly pelting stones at security personnel during an anti-encroachment drive near Bandra railway station in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
The accused were produced before the Bandra Court following the violence that erupted during the Western Railway-led demolition operation on Wednesday.
According to police officials, a mob allegedly attacked police teams with stones and paver blocks for nearly an hour as authorities attempted to clear unauthorised structures from railway land. The situation was later brought under control with heavy police deployment.
Several police personnel injured
Officials said at least five police personnel suffered serious injuries during the clashes. One officer reportedly sustained a fractured hand, while another suffered a broken nose. Around ten additional personnel received minor injuries.
The demolition drive began on Tuesday as part of an infrastructure redevelopment and land-clearing exercise being carried out by Western Railway and the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).
Authorities said the land had recently been auctioned for redevelopment projects aimed at expanding railway infrastructure and increasing train capacity.
Railways say safety protocols in place
Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said the demolition drive was being conducted with coordination between railway authorities, city police, civic agencies and railway protection forces.
According to railway officials, nearly 1,000 to 1,200 personnel have been deployed daily for the operation, including contingents from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and Mumbai Police.
Officials said around 85 per cent of the demolition work has already been completed.
Abhishek stated that authorities were ensuring safety measures for local residents and workers, while also distributing water bottles and packed meals during the operation.
He added that once the encroached land is cleared, the railways will be able to undertake capacity augmentation projects, including the introduction of 50 new originating trains from Mumbai and expansion of Bandra Terminus.
Congress questions demolition process
Hussain Dalwai criticised the manner in which the demolition was carried out and demanded rehabilitation for residents living in the affected slum clusters.
Dalwai said many families had lived in the area for nearly three decades and argued that a proper survey and alternate housing arrangements should have been made before the demolition.
Bombay High Court allowed demolition
The Bombay High Court had earlier permitted railway authorities to remove encroachments from railway land, observing that illegal settlements and waste accumulation posed risks to railway infrastructure and track safety.
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Love the demolition drive on illegal encroachments.