Ambedkar protesters go on a rampage in Dadar

Vehicles damaged, shops destroyed and abuses hurled at shop owners.

Shops in Dadar (east) and Bhoiwada area were forced to pull their shutters down after protesters hurled stones at them. According to sources, they also damaged some of the vehicles parked on the curb and buses passing by.

The protest was organised following the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan on Saturday when a group associated with the People’s Improvement Trust brought down the building. While groups protested against the demolition on Saturday, the agitation on Tuesday was regarding police inaction in the matter.

The “morcha” began at 12.30 pm from the plot which housed Dr Ambedkar Bhavan and ended at Bhoiwada police station. It saw participation from various political parties and was attended by nearly 700-800 people. Locals allege that protesters forced shops to bring down their shutters in the middle of theafternoon.

“Many of us started downing our shutters when we saw the huge crowd approaching. The protesters hurled abuses at those who did not shut shop,” said a clothes shop owner near Dadar TT Circle, on the condition of anonymity.

A small grocery shop had its display broken by the protesters.

“Some of the men from the morcha came in suddenly and before I could even move, a huge stone was hurled at the shop. I was standing right where they hurled the stone; I could have been easily hurt had I not ducked,” the owner said.

Gangar Eye nation — a spectacle shop had its glass display at the front completely damaged. “They did not just throw stones at the shops, they even pushed around some of the employees and hurled the choicest of abuses at them,” said the owner of an adjacent shop. The employees and owners of Gangar seemed shaken and refused to speak with the correspondent.

Locals said that private taxis parked in the area were also vandalised. “Nearly 25-30 vehicles were damaged by the protestors. They even hurled stones at a school bus that was passing by,” said another shopkeeper. Vehicular movement too came to a standstill.

While residents and local were distressed, senior police officers seemed clueless about the incident. “Situation at Dadar, Hindmata, Bhoiwada is normal. All shops are open. Vehicular traffic is normal. Please do not believe in any rumours. For any query, contact the local police,” was the statement released by Ashok Dudhe, Mumbai police spokesperson. However, N. Ambika, DCP, Zone 4 said the police was in the process of registering an FIR in the matter.

“We have done the preliminary inquiry and officers have visited the spot and spoken to people. We will register an FIR against the protesters,” she said.