A group of 30 to 35 people armed with hammer, swords and sticks barged into a slum in Malwani and assaulted around 10 people, including women, after a trivial argument between two people on Friday.
The police have arrested four people for rioting, attempt to murder and have booked them under several other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The police said around 15 accused are absconding. Chandrakant Parab alias Chandu, Mahesh Bhandari, Pravin Nalawade and Sonu – all residents of Malwani – have been arrested.
According to the police, the incident took place on Friday near INS Hamla in Shankarwadi area, Marve, Malad (West). The complainant, Vijay Jha, 42, an auto driver, who lives at Shankarwadi, said Shyam Babu Jha, a resident of the same chawl, was filling water when an argument broke out with Parab. The argument turned ugly and Parab allegedly slapped Shyam. When several acquaintances of Shyam gathered, Parab fled the spot.
“Later, Parab came along in the group of around 30 people carrying swords, iron rods, hammers, bamboo and they attacked in the entire chawl. They ransacked the houses and broke doors. They assaulted several people, including women, with hammers and iron rods,” said a police officer.
They assaulted Vijay, fracturing both his hands. He had to have 35 stitches. “Several others were severely injured and they have been admitted to hospital,” said senior police inspector Abdul Rauf Shaikh of Malwani police station.
“We have arrested four people. We are looking for more accused who are absconding,” said Shaikh.
