Vandals go on rampage in Maninagar, detained

The mob consisting of Sanjay Soma Rabari, Mahesh Soma Rabari, Mahesh alias Kashi, Narendra alias Pappu, Dilip alias Vikki, Krunal, Punam, Bhuriyo, Bathiya and 20 others, all residents of Khokhra, Bhaipura and Hatkeshwar, have been detained, Maninagar police said.

According to the police, the accused had a fight with one Vikki Anand Goswami, a slum dweller near Dakshini Crossings, three days ago. Vikki and his brother had called Bathiya, one of the accused, on November 6 to resolve an old issue. Vikki and Bathiya had a heated argument over the payment of Rs 250. Later, Vikki and his brother had allegedly threatened to kill Bathiya with a knife.

According to police, Bathiya reported this matter to Sanjay and Mahesh, who are the leaders of their gang. Having decided to teach Vikki a lesson, the duo on Saturday night came with a gang of around 20 men on bikes and assaulted Vikki. After assaulting Vikki, the gang who were allegedly in an inebriated condition, got stuck in the traffic. They started damaging an AMTS bus and also broke glasses of 20 shops, vandalised 20 cars, 30 motorbikes and two-wheelers, seven autorickshaws and damaged 15 food stalls.

They also stabbed an auto driver, Shivaji Uttam Rao, who resisted their attempt to damage his autorickshaw. Rao is undergoing treatment at a hospital, police said.

Sanjay had been arrested under the Arms Act and was externed by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, police added.

The public complained that despite several calls to the police control room, police didn’t turn up. Maninagar Inspector VJ Gadhvi said, “The policemen were on security duty of the Chief Minister Anandiben Patel at Kankaria lake. However, we rushed to the spot with adequate force and rounded up all those involved in the violence. We have not received any complaint from the shop-keepers and locals. But we have registered an FIR for damaging public property and indulging in violence.”

The police have booked the hooligans for attempt to murder, clashes, assault, damage to public property under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.