‘Cops were stabbed and set on fire’

After the day’s rioting, Bhiwandi was rocked by the murders of two policemen at about 9.30 pm near Milan Hotel. Police sources said that head constable Ramesh Jagtap, posted at the Bhoiwada police station and police constable BS Gangurde, posted at the Narpoli police station, were patrolling on a motorcycle when the incident took place.

As they reached Milan Hotel, the motorcycle skidded and they fell. A group of people standing there apparently assaulted them with stones and knives. They were stabbed until they died and the bodies were then set on fire. Police sources said that identification was very difficult but senior police officers present in Bhiwandi did not confirm this.

Gunshots echo in House

Wednesday’s incident rocked the Assembly on Thursday. As soon as the day started, the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-led Opposition demanded that the question hour be set aside for a debate on the issue. After heated exchanged between the treasury and opposition benches, the house was adjourned for 20 minutes.

The four-hour-long debate was held in the afternoon. Minister for Home RR Patil announced that a senior police officer would investigate the rioting in the powerloom town of Bhiwandi between residents and the police which left two locals dead and 34 policemen injured. The murder of the two policemen will also be investigated.

The role of Samajwadi Party MP Abu Azmi, who has been accused of inciting mobs against the police, would also be examined carefully and action would be taken against him if necessary.

Patil said the Raza Academy and the Kabrastan (graveyard) committee have been asked to furnish proof to substantiate their claims on the land within eight days. These claims would be checked against the land records available with the government and verified by principal secretary revenue and state chief secretary in 15 days.

Patil added that if the records prove that the land did belong to claimants, then the government will not construct the police station. But if the land belongs to the government, construction would go on. He denied allegations of minority appeasement, stating that only a small mob had rioted. The administration had learnt its lessons, he said, from the infamous 1982-’83 Bhiwandi riots. Rapid Action Force, SRPF and the regular police force had been stationed to restore law and order.

Initiating the debate, Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam had stated that after the government and the court rejected their claim on the land, the locals had got angry and openly declared that they had no respect for law or the government.

BJP leader Gopinath Munde alleged that Azmi had incited the mob to teach the police a lesson.

Where is Shiraz?

DNA Correspondent

The local Muslim community has alleged that the police picked up Shiraj Plumber, 35, from his residence for questioning on Wednesday evening at about six. The family had reportedly been assured by the Commissioner of Police himself that he would be released at about 5am on Thursday.

When Plumber did not return, the family went to the police station again only to be told that Siraj has been let off in the morning. However the family claims that he has not returned.

The gun riddle

DNA Correspondent

According to some police sources, the mob who attacked the police on Wednesday had foreign-made pistols and they even fired four rounds at the police.Thane Police Commissioner D Sivanandhan, however, did not confirm this. But he said the possibility of some people possessing sophisticated weapons could not be ruled out.

The police said they were not ruling out involvement of don Dawood Ibrahim.