Female cops claim Nevale agitators molested them

The Asian Age.  | Saurabh M Joshi

Metros, Mumbai

Police trying to identify guilty on basis of photos, clips.

A case has been registered at the Hill Line police station.

Mumbai: Two days after the brutal attack on police personnel at Nevale village near Kalyan, the Thane police registered a molestation case after two women constables lodged complaints about being targeted by the mob of villagers on Thursday.

According to the complaints, a group of attackers surrounded the women constables and wilfully targeted them physically and fled from the spot. The female constables also sustained minor injuries in the incident, added police sources.

A case has been registered at the Hill Line police station and the statements of the victims have also been recorded.

“The police have a basic description of the attackers based on the statement. The photos and video clips of the attack are being scanned to help establish their identities,” said a Thane City police officer.

The police have also learnt that the village committees and the sarpanch were part of the meeting that were held to chalk out the plan to target the police. The intention of the protesters was to create a law and order situation to attract the attention of the state administration.

The police also conducted a massive combing operation in the Bhal, Khoni, Nevale, Rawal Pada villages and neighbouring areas and made first arrests, late on Friday. The police arrested four persons from the neighbouring Badlapur and Ambernath MIDC areas. The investigators have, however, held back their identities as more accomplices are being looked for based on information given by the arrested accused.

These persons were identified with the help of photographs that were captured during the attack. At least four police teams have been formed to track down the guilty who have fled from their villages following the incident.

“Most of the accused who are currently absconding have been identified and a list of their names have been prepared. Searches are underway,” said Pratap Dighavkar, additional commissioner of police, Thane city.

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