Two people were killed and 61 injured on Saturday as the protest in Azad Maidan, against the violence in Assam and alleged attacks against Muslims in Myanmar turned violent. Of the 61 injured, 44 are policemen and three are mediapersons.
Mohammad Umar (22) and Altaf Shaikh (18) were brought dead at state-run St George Hospital. It is being suspected that they were killed in the police firing, but the doctors maintained that the cause of death could be ascertained after the post-mortem reports.
Of the five civilians admitted in JJ Hospital, three sustained bullet injuries.
Seven policemen of the 22 policemen admitted in St George’s Hospital were admitted with grievous head injuries. Two civilians and 23 policemen were rushed to GT Hospital.
Riot control police personnel Hanumant Darekar was admitted in Bombay Hospital and he is critical.
“Darekar was beaten up badly by the mob. Someone even snatched his revolver,” said a police constable.
Dr Jitendra Sankpal, senior resident doctor at GT Hospital, said: “Most of the policemen were injured with blunt hard objects on their skulls and faces. The four civilians had injuries from the lathi charge.”
Also, photographers from Marathi daily Sakal and national English daily The Hindu were assaulted by the mob while they were trying to capture photographs. “The mob was angry that the media wasn’t providing enough coverage to their issue. They charged upon us and assaulted us. They even snatched my gold chain,” said Prashant Sawant, photographer from Sakal.
